Media Statement on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of

Zimbabwe

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 4 September 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomes the release of
investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from detention. However, the Commission
remains deeply concerned with reports of alleged continued human rights violations
in the Republic of Zimbabwe. We note and support various calls made by the
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), recently, including the steps it took
soon after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic related measures, to highlight the
importance of respecting and fulfilling, among others, the right to life, freedom from
torture, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as the right to a fair trial.
While these alleged human rights violations are taking place in Zimbabwe, the
SAHRC wishes to underline that human rights know no borders. These violations
have implications on neighbouring countries such as South Africa.
It has been reported that through its agencies such as the police, the government of
Zimbabwe has been targeting critics from the various political and civic formations
such as the arrest and detention of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, author
Tsitsi Dangarembga and others. It is further reported that the government appears to
have used the current COVID-19 lockdown to disproportionately restrict various civil
and political rights such as the freedoms of assembly, speech, petition and protest.
All these restrictions appear to be designed to suppress dissent.
For instance, on 24 July 2020, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights raised concerns that Zimbabwean authorities may be using the COVID-19
pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of
peaceful assembly and association.
Reports also suggest that there have been instances of disappearances, torture and
other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of those arrested and deprived of their
liberty. The SAHRC urges the government of the Republic Zimbabwe to respect
customary international law, international and regional human rights treaties to which
it is a State Party and specifically to ensure that no one is subjected to torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) requires
States to protect the rights of individuals irrespective of their political affiliation.
Following the absolute prohibition of torture in international law, the Charter further
prohibits all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment. As a member of the African Union, the Republic of Zimbabwe must
promote and protect human rights within its territory.
The SAHRC urges the government of Zimbabwe and its relevant officials to treat
those arrested and detained humanely and ensure access to basic rights and
particularly, COVID-19 precautionary measures. Those who have been arrested for
allegedly committing any offences must still benefit from the presumption of
innocence and subject to the rule of law.
While the SAHRC notes and commends the appointment of the special envoys by
President Cyril Ramaphosa, more must be done at the regional and sub-regional
levels. Similarly, the SAHRC calls on the African Union (AU) and the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) to ensure the Republic of Zimbabwe
complies with its human rights obligations promptly. This is a test for the commitment
of the SADC and AU to fundamental human rights.
– Ends –

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573
gbrooks@sahrc.org.za