Human Rights in Zimbabwe

Background

Former President Robert Mugabe – a liberation hero turned tyrant – was ousted in a coup in November 2017 after 37 years in power. Zanu PF continues to govern Zimbabwe as it has done since independence in 1980. After serving out Mugabe’s term, Emmerson Mnangagwa was narrowly re-elected as President in July 2018 following an election that lacked credibility.

In response to protests, the army opened fire on demonstrators and bystanders, killing six people. Despite his awful human rights record, President Mnangagwa has promised to promote democracy, fight corruption, and ensure economic development. But little has changed.

The opposition had been highly fragmented, although the Movement for Democratic Change was formed in 2018 as a merger between various groups that had previously split. Read ACTSA’s report about the 2023 elections, based on the testimonies of civil society organisations.

During the August 2023 elections, reports from the region’s civil society organisations documented repression of the media, violence and kidnappings and legislation aimed at limiting civil society and non-governmental organisations from operating freely.

From the mid-1990s Zimbabwe plunged into a financial crisis which has massively impacted the quality of life for Zimbabwean citizens.  This situation was partly created by the economic structural adjustment programme (ESAP) Zimbabwe adopted in 1990 under pressure from the IMF. This pushed many Zimbabweans further into poverty.

As the economic situation worsened, unemployment and inflation increased, public expenditure was reduced, the economy continued to contract, and the Zimbabwe dollar lost value against international currencies. Zimbabwe has never recovered. The dire economic situation in the country today impacts the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans. There are massive cash shortages, many do not have access to basic goods and in the public sector some workers have not received salaries for months.

A key challenge is to revive the economy, create decent jobs, control inflation and improve essential services.

Prior to independence, the best agricultural land in Zimbabwe was taken by white settlers with no or derisory compensation. The Lancaster House Agreement contained clauses on land redistribution. A key principle was willing buyer, willing seller. Whilst there was some initial redistribution in the aftermath of independence the land issue became less of a priority.

However, facing a failing economy and a burgeoning opposition, land rights were placed centre stage once again in the late 1990s. The government stated that Zimbabweans were suffering because they were being punished by the colonial powers for raising land rights. The government began endorsing farm seizures.

In the short-term agricultural production dropped significantly as did foreign exchange with little cash crop production. Land and especially productive land needed to be redistributed but many, including ACTSA, condemn how it was done. Zimbabwe needs a productive, fair and sustainable agricultural sector.

Zimbabwe has significant mineral wealth, including chromium, diamonds, gold and platinum. Large amounts of recent major diamond discoveries were looted by those with good political connections.

Mining must occur with the informed consent and active oversight of communities. It must respect human rights, including labour and health rights, and minimise environmental degradation. Ordinary Zimbabweans must fully benefit from their country’s mineral wealth.

Women in Zimbabwe, like women across Southern Africa, do many tasks and take on many roles. They often run the home, care for children and the elderly, and work. Some of this work is on family land. For other work, payment can take the form of cash or goods (including food). Girls generally complete fewer years of formal schooling than boys.

Before 2000, more women were in paid employment in Zimbabwe than in most neighbouring countries. However, women have borne the brunt of the economic collapse, and significantly fewer women are now in formal employment, especially in the private sector.

Another consequence of the economic crisis was the widespread emigration of Zimbabweans from the country. It is estimated that more than three million Zimbabweans left between the years 1995 to 2015, the majority of whom are thought to be men, leaving more women in Zimbabwe.

The campaign

We urge the UK and US governments, as well as the European Union, to press the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) to respect and protect the human rights of its citizens, and tackle corruption in an impartial manner. These actors must also call on the government to:

• Create the environment for free and fair elections.
• Ensure that the law is applied in line with the Constitution and with Zimbabwe’s obligations under international law.
• Enable civil society, including trade unions, to associate freely and contribute to democratic processes.
• Address the impunity of state violence against elected officials, MPs, and journalists, including the recommendations from the 2018 election review.

In addition, the UK, US and EU must:

• Support Zimbabwean civil society organisations to hold their government to account
• Work to resolve Zimbabwe’s debt crisis with accountable institutions in the region
• Argue that sanctions are not the cause of Zimbabwe’s problems and that promoting human rights is the key to a prosperous and stable economy for all citizens.

Find out more

We’d love your help to raise the profile of the campaign to put pressure on governments and multilateral institutionsto take notice and take action. Please do this by sharing our social posts or recent publications, or joining one of our events.