We are deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that is
unfolding in Zimbabwe and the repression of large scale protests in the country,
following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices. We call on the
Government to find ways of engaging with the population about their legitimate
grievances and to stop the crackdown against protestors.
We are concerned about reports of the excessive use of
force, including live ammunition, by Zimbabwean security forces during protests
which started on Monday this week. People took to the streets to protest
against economic austerity measures and the rise of fuel prices, which affect
their already impoverished households and businesses, and limit access to basic
goods and services.
Reports suggest that protesters burned tyres, used rocks to
barricade roads, and blocked buses from taking passengers to work. A number of
buildings were also set on fire and there were reports of looting. Police
responded with force, apparently including the use of live ammunition.There are
credible reports of a number of deaths – including of a police officer – and
many more injured, as well as hundreds of arrests in relation to the protests.
There are also worrying allegations of generalised
intimidation and harassment by security forces carrying out door-to-door
searches. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has also received allegations of
police beatings. According to official figures presented by the Minister of
National Security, more than 600 people have been arrested countrywide. Among
those detained are opposition leaders and prominent civil activists. We are
also concerned that Internet services have been severely disrupted in the last
few days.
We support the call of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission
for the Government to set up a national dialogue, with wide participation of
all sectors, to find solutions to the economic challenges the country is facing.
We urge the Government to work with the support of the international community
to ease the current crisis.
We call on the Government ensure that security forces
handle protests and exercise their power – especially the use of firearms and
live ammunition – strictly in accordance with the country’s international human
rights obligations and the relevant principles, including legality, necessity,
proportionality, precaution and accountability.* State authorities have a duty
to ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, and to facilitate and
protect the right to peaceful assembly. It is essential that all sides,
including the protestors, refrain from the use of violence and seek to resolve
the situation peacefully.
We call on the Government to carry out investigations into
all reports of violence, including the alleged excessive use of force by
security forces in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to
accountability.
All those detained for the exercise of their rights to
freedom of peaceful assembly and expression should be promptly released.
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location: Geneva
Date: 18 January 2019
Subject: Zimbabwe
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