Source: Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) unreservedly condemns in the strongest terms the appalling use of excessive force by the police against protesters in Epworth, Mabvuku, Tafara, Ruwa and other areas in Harare. While the Forum does not condone violent protests, the Forum is disturbed by the heavy-handedness of the police in quelling the the protests which almost degenerated into a state of civil anarchy in Epworth.
Since the beginning of the year, citizens have been holding protests over the never ending economic crisis exarcerbated by corruption; the disregard of the rule of law; failure by the government to account for the missing $15 billion in diamond revenue; the promulgation of the Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which bans the importation of certain good and basic products; the alarming number of police roadblocks in all roads in Zimbabwe; lack of public confidence in the consultative structures designed to resolve citizens grievances and concerns; and the failure by the government to pay civil servants and pensioners on time among other issues.
The protests reached their peak on Monday 4 July 2016, when public transport operators in Ruwa, Mabvuku, Tafara, and Epworth protested in and around Harare against increased police roadblocks. The police responded by use of teargas and water cannons on the protesters and innocent civilians. In Epworth for example, police moved door to door indiscriminately assaulting citizens. School children were also caught up in the crossfire.
The Forum wishes to remind the government that the freedom to demostrate and petition is a constitutional right guaranteed in Section 59 which states: “Every person has the right to demonstrate and to present petitions, but these rights must be exercised peacefully.” The duty of the police is thus to ensure that Zimbabweans enjoy this and other rights peacefully and not to impede the enjoyment of this right. Moreover, the government has an obligation under domestic, regional and international law to take reasonable steps to facilitate the enjoyment of the right to peaceful assemble, demonstrate and petition.
In light of the growing dissent over the failing economy and the demaging effects of corruption, the Forum urges the Government of Zimbabwe to urgently address the socio–econmic crisis lest Zimbabwe risks degenerating into a failed state. The government should also allow citizens to participate in governance issues through consultations before implementation of policies such as the SI 64 of 2016 that has also resulted in protests.
The Forum also urges Zimbabweans to exercise their right to protest peacefully and in a nonviolent manner, and without disregarding other people’s rights or jeopardising national security. Chapter 2: 10 of the Constitution states, “The State and every person, including juristic persons, and every institution and agency of government at every level must promote national unity , peace and stability.” We therefore urge all citizens, including the police and political leadership, to fulfill these constitutional obligations for a peaceful Zimbabwe.
Source: Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum