Zimbabwe’s Troubled Elections: Repressive Crackdown and Communication Blackout Fears.

Zimbabwe’s General Elections Marred by Voter Intimidation and Internet Shutdown Fears

Amnesty International has raised concerns over Zimbabwe’s general elections, citing reports of voter intimidation, the arrest of civil society organization (CSOs) staff members, and fears of an impending internet shutdown. The election process has been marred by allegations of widespread voter intimidation, with Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ), a shadowy organization allegedly linked to the ruling party, being accused of conducting such activities.

Violation of Human Rights

Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisè, emphasized the importance of upholding human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and access to information, before, during, and after the elections. The crackdown on human rights and the impunity of perpetrators must be addressed, ensuring that everyone can freely exercise their rights without fear of retribution.

Internet Degradation

There are growing concerns about the quality of internet connectivity in Zimbabwe, with reports indicating a degradation in internet access. The internet plays a crucial role in accessing information, and any disruption to its availability undermines people’s rights. The Zimbabwean authorities have not provided any information about the cause of the connectivity problems or the measures taken to rectify them. Amnesty International emphasizes that internet access is a human right and calls on the authorities to guarantee reliable and unrestricted internet access throughout the election process.

Arbitrary Arrests of CSO Staff Members

The arrest of around 40 staff members from civil society organizations, including the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), is a deeply concerning development. These arrests followed the release of a report by the Zimbabwe NGO Forum, which documented irregularities observed during the election. Amnesty International demands the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested CSO members and the return of confiscated property. The harassment and intimidation of CSO staff members for simply carrying out their work is unacceptable.

Background

Zimbabwe is currently undergoing presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections. The polling process faced several challenges, with many polling stations in Harare and Bulawayo failing to open on time due to delays in distributing ballot papers. Consequently, voting had to be extended until 24 August.

The country has a history of violent and disputed elections, with the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) party often accused of orchestrating attacks against opposition parties and supporters. Amnesty International has previously documented grave election-related human rights violations, including the violent events of 2008, in which over 200 people lost their lives during and after the election.

Editorial

The reports of voter intimidation, internet shutdown fears, and arbitrary arrests in the context of Zimbabwe’s elections raise serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in the country. These allegations undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process and erode public trust in the government and its institutions.

The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and its exercise should be free from intimidation and coercion. Moreover, access to information, including reliable internet connectivity, is indispensable in facilitating informed participation and enabling transparency in the electoral process. Any attempt to obstruct this access undermines the principles of democratic governance.

International pressure should be exerted to ensure that Zimbabwean authorities address these human rights violations promptly and effectively. The international community, including regional bodies such as the African Union, must play an active role in monitoring the situation, investigating allegations, and holding both individuals and institutions accountable for any misconduct.

Advice

To the Zimbabwean authorities:

• Guarantee the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and access to information, as enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution and international human rights treaties.
• Conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the allegations of voter intimidation, ensuring that any perpetrators are held accountable.
• Ensure reliable and unrestricted access to the internet before, during, and after the election process, abiding by the principles of freedom of expression and access to information.
• Release all civil society organization staff members who have been arbitrarily arrested and return any confiscated property immediately.

To the international community:

• Monitor the situation in Zimbabwe closely and publicly denounce any human rights violations or irregularities observed during the election.
• Support local and international organizations working to protect and promote human rights in Zimbabwe and provide them with the necessary resources to carry out their work effectively.
• Engage diplomatically with the Zimbabwean government, urging them to address the concerns raised and fulfill their obligations to respect and protect human rights.

Ultimately, ensuring free and fair elections and protecting human rights is not only the responsibility of the Zimbabwean government but also a collective effort of the international community to uphold democratic values and principles.

ZimbabweElections–zimbabwe,elections,repressivecrackdown,communicationblackout,fears