Zimbabwean authorities are urged to cease their crackdown on opposition and civil society members before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 17, 2024, in Harare, according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The immediate and unconditional release of all arrested individuals exercising their rights is demanded.
The groups also call for a thorough and timely investigation into allegations of torture or ill-treatment of detainees, with accountability for any suspected perpetrators in fair trials. SADC should urgently demand an end to these human rights violations as they prepare to hand over leadership to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Since mid-June, Zimbabwean authorities have been cracking down on dissent, resulting in over 160 arrests including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students, and journalists,” said Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa.
“Security forces have engaged in tear-gassing, beatings requiring hospitalization, forced disappearances, and torture of individuals in custody. Authorities must cease these violations and release all detainees immediately.”
SADC leaders are urged to condemn the human rights violations in Zimbabwe and demand the release of unjustly detained individuals before the situation escalates further. President João Lourenço of Angola and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema need to speak out as current leaders of SADC.
The crackdown began on June 16 with a police raid on the home of opposition leader Jameson Timba, resulting in the arrest of 78 individuals during a private gathering. The group was charged with promoting public violence and disorderly conduct, with 75 remaining detained without court appearance.
Various arrests of opposition members, students, and activists have occurred since then, with instances of torture, forced disappearances, and intimidation by authorities. The failure of President Mnangagwa’s government to uphold human rights is emphasized by Human Rights Watch senior Africa researcher Idriss Ali Nassah.
SADC’s silence on these violations is concerning, especially with President Mnangagwa set to chair the organization. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights should demand the immediate release of arbitrarily detained individuals.
“The intensified crackdown in Zimbabwe is directly linked to the upcoming SADC summit in Harare, setting a dangerous precedent for the bloc’s commitment to human rights under President Mnangagwa’s chairmanship,” Nassah added.
While addressing the situation in Zimbabwe, SADC should use the summit to improve human rights across the region in alignment with the SADC treaty.
This content is distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).