Civil society groups are calling on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to hold Zimbabwean authorities accountable for ongoing human rights abuses as political tensions rise.
Mounting Pressure on Zimbabwe Over Human Rights Abuses
Civil society organizations are intensifying pressure on Zimbabwean authorities as reports of human rights violations continue to escalate. With the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit approaching in Harare, groups like Heal Zimbabwe Trust are urging SADC to address the deteriorating political environment in the country.
In a recent statement, Heal Zimbabwe Trust highlighted the rising incidents of arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture, and intimidation targeting pro-democracy campaigners and opposition activists. The organization condemned the increasing repression and called for immediate action.
“Heal Zimbabwe Trust expresses deep concern over the escalating human rights violations in Zimbabwe as the SADC Summit in Harare approaches,” the statement read. “We condemn strongly the ongoing arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture, and widespread intimidation targeting pro-democracy campaigners, opposition activists, and voices critical of the State.”
Incidents of Repression and Intimidation
The statement detailed several alarming incidents. Recently, a meeting of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) was violently disrupted by police, leading to the arrest of over forty student leaders. Additionally, seventy-four of the seventy-nine Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters arrested in June remain denied bail, with their families barred from visiting them in prison.
Further incidents include the arrest and detention of twelve CCC supporters in Kariba and the arrests of Senator Shoko and Councillor Moyo in Bulawayo on incitement charges. On July 31, Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusimuzi Moyo were forcibly removed from a plane, tortured for eight hours, and held incommunicado by state security agents before being charged with public disorder.
“Heal Zimbabwe Trust has received numerous reports of pro-democracy campaigners and opposition activists being intimidated by suspected state security agents, warning them against protesting during the coming SADC summit,” the statement continued.
Call to Uphold Democratic Principles
The civil society organization emphasized that the current climate of fear is contrary to the principles of peace, security, democracy, and human rights enshrined in Article 4 of the SADC Treaty. Moreover, Heal Zimbabwe Trust urged the Zimbabwean government to respect citizens’ rights and uphold the constitutional values of democracy and peace.
“The upcoming SADC Summit should be a moment of opportunity, freedom, community, and a celebration of democracy and constitutionalism, not an excuse for the Zimbabwean government to suppress fundamental rights and freedoms,” the statement read. “It is imperative that the Zimbabwean government refrains from threatening its citizens and instead works to protect and uphold Constitutional rights in the spirit of the founding values and principles which Zimbabwe is founded on, as enshrined in Section 3 of our Constitution.”
Heal Zimbabwe Trust also called on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to honor their duties by upholding the constitution and protecting every citizen without favor, in accordance with Section 219 of the Constitution and the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
Demands for Justice and Accountability
The organization demanded the immediate release of all incarcerated pro-democracy campaigners and opposition activists, describing their imprisonment as a clear violation of their rights. They also urged SADC to take a firm stand against the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe.
“We appeal to SADC to take a firm stand against the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe and ensure that the SADC summit does not become an excuse for the government to further suppress the rights of Zimbabwean citizens in SADC’s name,” the statement concluded. “It is important that SADC uses this summit and its influence to promote respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Zimbabwe in pursuit of sustainable positive peace and inclusive development in the country and the region.”
Heal Zimbabwe Trust remains committed to advocating for positive peace, social cohesion, and the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe.
Source: New Zimbabwe
