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Chairperson of the African union Moussa Faki Mahamat has urged the Zimbabwean government to uphold and protect human rights following reports of security forces imposing force on citizens and brutal arrests.
AU notes that violations of human rights , freedom of speech , association and of assembly is a breach of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
This follows an international outcry over alleged human rights abuses wiyh the arrest of novelist Tsitsi Dangaremba ,MDC alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, in connection with the July 31 protests.
Government critics were also arrested and detained Hopewell Chino’no and Jacob Ngarivhume on charges of inviting public violence.
In statement the chairperson expressed great concerns over the political situation urging that Human rights not to be violated as according to the law.
” the Chairperson urges the Zimbabwe authorities to respond to the pandemic ensuring that the national response is premised on human rights as enshrined in the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“. The Chairperson is concerned about reports of disproportionate use of force by security forces in enforcing COVID-19 emergency measures. He implores the authorities to exercise restraint in their response to peaceful protests.”
Mahamant welcomed the special envoy that was sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to assess the political situation in the country following reports of a crackdown on civic society leaders and opposition supporters, who recently organized an anti-corruption protest, which was crushed by state security agents.
The envoy is however, reported to have returned after meeting only with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and sidelining opposition parties and civic society organizations.
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