….Say Zimbabwe on Brink of Human Rights Crisis Ahead of SADC Summit
By Delicious Mathuthu
The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) and Amnesty International (AI) have condemned government’s crackdown on dissenting voices ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit set for the 17th of August 2024.
The organizations have expressed deep concern over the arbitrary arrests, torture, and detention of over 160 activists, opposition members, and civil society leaders.
The ZCBC has appealed for restraint and dialogue, urging the government to respect human rights and the Constitution.
“We all are conscious of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of States meeting that is to take place beginning on the 17th of August 2024. It is in preparation for this important meeting that we are seeing the resurgence of some ugly vices,” ZCBC said in a statement.
“This is sad, for in a democratic nation that knows the value of human dignity, freedom of association and of speech, such vices have no place as they contradict some of the fundamental values that form the bedrock of our national Constitution.
“Generally, people with grievances tend to take advantage of big meetings to air their views. We have seen people positioning themselves to do this in the past and are doing so now.
“This phenomenon is not unique to Zimbabwe. Governments often struggle to deal with such realities. Some tend to be repressive, but such responses are self-defeating,” the Bishops said.
Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained for exercising their rights.
“Government is systematically clamping down on dissent. In an attempt to silence critical voices and dissuade potential protests, the police and security forces have
arbitrarily arrested over 160 activists, political party members, student union activists and civil society members on charges relating to disorderly conduct, criminal nuisance, and plotting to incite protests.
“Some of those arrested were severely tortured and sustained injuries that required hospitalization,” said Amnesty international.
The organisation says it has also documented cases of severe torture, including that of Robson Chere, who is at risk of kidney failure and death if he does not receive adequate medical care.
The crackdown has been described as a violation of Zimbabwe’s constitutional and international human rights obligations by the organisations.
ZCBC and Amnesty International have urged the government to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of everyone in the country, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
As Zimbabwe assumes the position of SADC Chairperson, the international community and local human rights organisations are calling on the regional bloc to demand an end to the assault on human rights in Zimbabwe.
Several other civic society organisations have weighed in, expressing similar concerns on the crackdown of dissenting voices.
Human Rights Watch joined Amnesty International in condemning the detentions and calling for the release of the arrested, also highlighting evidence of torture and other ill-treatment in custody.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe also has spoken out against the arbitrary detention of human rights activists, including the reported torture cases.
International Trade Union Confederation also weighed in on the situation, condemning the human rights abuses, pressing the government to protect citizens’ rights and safety.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders condemned the arbitrary detentions calling for the release and investigation into alleged torture of activists, Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza and Samuel Gwenzi.
