On 9 August 2024, Zimbabwean authorities are facing criticism from human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for their crackdown on opposition and civil society members ahead of the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit scheduled for 17 August in Harare. More than 160 people have been arrested since mid-June, including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students, and journalists.
The crackdown, which began on 16 June, saw police raiding the home of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party leader Jameson Timba during a private gathering, resulting in the arrest of 78 people. Subsequent incidents included the arrest of 44 members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and the beating and arrest of peaceful protesters outside the Harare Magistrate’s Court. The authorities have been accused of using tear gas, beatings, forced disappearances, and torture against detainees.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, has called for the immediate release of all detainees and for an end to the human rights violations being committed by the Zimbabwean authorities. The crackdown has been described as a violation of basic human rights and a dangerous precedent for the SADC’s commitment to human rights.
The intensified crackdown is believed to be directly linked to Zimbabwe’s hosting of the SADC summit in Harare. State agents have been reported to have forcibly disappeared activists, with evidence of torture and ill-treatment documented by lawyers. The authorities have continued to make arrests, targeting individuals involved in protests or supporting opposition parties.
Human Rights Watch’s senior Africa researcher, Idriss Ali Nassah, has criticized SADC for its silence on the human rights violations in Zimbabwe. He emphasized the need for the bloc to take a clear stand against the crackdown, especially as President Emmerson Mnangagwa prepares to take over the SADC chairmanship. The African Commission on Human and Peoples‘ Rights has been urged to demand the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.
As SADC prepares for the upcoming summit in Harare, there is a call for the bloc to address the clampdown in Zimbabwe and use the opportunity to improve respect for human rights across the region. The situation in Zimbabwe serves as a test for SADC’s commitment to upholding human rights under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
In conclusion, the crackdown on opposition and civil society members in Zimbabwe ahead of the SADC summit has raised concerns about human rights violations and the bloc’s commitment to protecting fundamental freedoms. It is essential for SADC to address the situation in Zimbabwe and ensure that human rights are respected across the region. The upcoming summit in Harare presents an opportunity for SADC to demonstrate its dedication to upholding human rights and promoting democracy.