16 January, 2019
Zimbabwe: Unblock internet and cease security sector attacks on civilians
This article was first published by the Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network.
Johannesburg: 16 January 2019
The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) has
today called on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately unblock all internet
services, and to halt the ongoing use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
The SAHRDN calls on the Zimbabwe government to recognize and guarantee the
rights of citizens to peaceful protests as enshrined in the Zimbabwe constitution
and international human rights instruments that Zimbabwe is party to.
On 14 January 2019, thousands of Zimbabweans took to the streets in various
parts of the country to protest the announcement made by President Emmerson
Mnangagwa on the fuel price increase, as well as the dismal economic outlook
which is affecting the ability of Zimbaweans to enjoy socio-economic rights.
Following the protests on 14 January 2019, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
reported that several members of the Zimbabwe National Army (the military) and
the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) randomly carried out door-to-door raids in
high density suburbs through forced entry, by breaking down doors and windows.
Several residents in those areas were brutally assaulted by members of the
military and the ZRP and some have been detained.
In Harare, the military and the police shot at people resulting in some fatalities
and serious injuries. Properties were damaged and hundreds of protesters were
arrested. The headquarters of the opposition political party, the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) were set alight. Protesters were also injured and
arrested in Bulawayo, another major city in Zimbabwe.
On 15 January 2019, Zimbabwe’s government moved to block citizens’ access to
the internet, including social media and email, as protests continued to spread in
the country. Businesses and schools remain shut down in many parts of the
country and there continues to be heavy presence of the military and the police in
high density suburbs.
6 Sturdee Avenue Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196 RSA m:+27766758168
NPO Number: 211-513_NPO
“We condemn the excessive use of force to quell protests in Zimbabwe and urge
the security forces to exercise restraint” stated Timmothy Mtambo the Deputy
Chairperson of the SAHRDN and Executive Director of Center for Human Rights
and Rehabilitation (CHRR) in Malawi. “The involvement of the military (in
policing) is unlawful and unjustified in a functional democracy” added Mtambo.
The SAHRDN notes with regret the ready resort by the government of Zimbabwe
to use of the army and lethal force against unarmed civilians when faced with
protests arising from causes related to the mismanagement and dysfunctionality
of the economy.
“Less than a month ago, the Commission of Inquiry into Post Election violence led
by the former President of South Africa, Kgalema Montlanthe, found that the
police and the military used ‘unjustified and disproportionate’ force to kill 6
people during post-election protests in 2018” said Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, a
board member of the SAHRDN and Executive Director of the Southern Africa
Litigation Centre (SALC). “It is therefore quite disconcerting for us that while the
soldiers who used lethal force against civilians on 1 August 2018 have not been
brought to justice, the authorities have again deployed soldiers and armed
personnel in civilian clothes to harass and torment unarmed civilians” added
Ramjathan-Keogh.
The SAHRDN notes that access to the internet is now an integral part and pre-
condition to enjoy the right to freedom of information and expression.
“It is now accepted that access to the internet is essential to the enjoyment of
rights” argued Lucia Da Silveira a board member of the SAHRDN and Executive
Director of AJPD Angola “We therefore strongly condemn the shutdown of the
internet as it shows that the government may have a sinister motive that it wants
to hide from the glare of the international community” added Da Silveira.
The SAHRDN therefore calls on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately fully
restore internet services to the people of Zimbabwe. The SAHRDN reminds the
government of Zimbabwe that internet shutdown violates international law – it
not only prevents public debate, but it also deprives Zimbabweans of access to
essential services and basic resources.
6 Sturdee Avenue Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196 RSA m:+27766758168
NPO Number: 211-513_NPO
The SAHRDN urges the government of Zimbabwe to recognize the right to
peaceful protest and further urges all Zimbabweans not to resort to vandalism
and destruction of property while exercising their constitutional rights. The
SAHRDN also urges all stakeholders and citizens to pursue grievances peacefully
and through the established legal channels.