KEY POINTS
- ZPP report shows villagers in Zimbabwe face political repression and fear for their lives.
- Over 2,000 victims were documented, with Zanu PF responsible for most cases.
- The report calls for action to protect citizens’ rights amid ongoing political violence.
In its most recent report, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) disclosed that people in isolated regions are living in terror, with many being threatened with violence for trying to exercise their fundamental political rights. One victim said she was afraid she would be killed for speaking up.
In its September report, ZPP listed 2,175 victims, with more than half of the 180 cases reported being related to the ruling Zanu PF. In rural communities, Zanu PF units refused to provide food relief to many afflicted individuals.
Political repression and fear of violence
The ZPP claims that citizens’ ability to exercise their fundamental rights is being undermined by their fear of political repression.
The over-politicization of government initiatives, according to the report, has made people too scared to voice their opinions or get involved in politics.
In one instance, a Buhera victim who had been repeatedly refused food assistance because of political prejudice stated that she was afraid for her life if she complained to the authorities.
She says, “I fear that if I speak out, I may not survive in their area, as some people have died for doing so,” according to the report.
Ongoing human rights violations
The ZPP study draws attention to Zimbabwe’s persistent violations of human rights, which persist in spite of pledges of reform following the 2017 coup.
According to New Zimbabwe, the research identifies political discrimination, harassment, and intimidation as major issues. The primary offenders were often identified as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zanu PF.
Western countries have criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for not addressing these problems. Mnangagwa and a number of other high-ranking officials are still subject to sanctions because of their roles in political violence and corruption.
Furthermore, the ZPP cautions that the state of human rights in Zimbabwe now presents a concerning outlook for the future.
In order to guarantee that people can express their rights without worrying about retaliation, the group is calling on authorities to remedy these infractions.
