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Zimbabwe Working Group (ZWG) , a group of policy practitioners, activists, former diplomats, and academics, has said the current situation in Zimbabwe needs urgent attention to protect her people.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday.
ZWG has demanded that the region in concert with the International Community act immediately as there is continuous human rights abuses by the government in Zimbabwe.
Their statement also speaks on the judicial system capture following the arrest of Joana Mamombe,Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova the three female activists who await trial as state alleges they staged an abduction when in actual fact they are being persecuted for revealing to members of the media details pertaining to their abduction.
Cases of Tawanda Muchehiwa,an opposition activist,Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono,opposition leaders Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurauone according to ZWG have also been politicized and have attracted international scrutiny.
Beatrice Mtetwa prominent human rights defender was also disqualified from representing Chin’ono and was threatened with revocation of her license.
The abduction and torture to death opposition political figure Lavender Chiwaya is a case amongst the many harassed,threatened and assaulted citizens in Zimbabwe which have raised concerns within ZWG.
Part of their statement read,”We welcome initial efforts by the South African government to address this crisis. We urge the international community to press for an immediate stop to the Zimbabwean government’s severe human rights abuses, for the withdrawal of the armed forces from politics, and an end to the plundering of the country’s ravaged economy by the ruling ZANU-PF party and senior security officials. ”
“The Government of Zimbabwe has a history of abducting and targeting perceived critics through judicial persecution and politicizing cases that have attracted international scrutiny…”
“Despite a sharp uptick in violence and repression, the people of Zimbabwe are demanding change. Across the country, ordinary citizens are taking to the streets and social media to demand an end to state violence and respect for the rule of a law. Journalists have fearlessly investigated government corruption and influence peddling, including contracts with high-priced lobbyists in Washington. Zimbabwe’s Catholic Bishops have publicly decried violence against regime critics and opponents, asking “Is this the Zimbabwe we want?” Such brave efforts should be applauded and encouraged. ”
“Zimbabweans are long accustomed to abuses at the hands of the ruling party. The current violence, however, is shocking in its brutality and openness. Since the military coup that deposed former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017, active and retired senior military officers have assumed key political roles and intensified the mismanagement of Zimbabwe’s failed economy for personal gain.”
“Zimbabweans need support and solidarity from the international community, including from their African neighbors. The ruling party must know the region and world are watching, and that #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”
“The Government of South Africa should continue to insist that President Ramaphosa’s special envoys meet with civil society—including labor unions and religious leaders—and journalists in addition to the main opposition party, MDC-A, and include the party in any ensuing dialogue.”
“South Africa should leverage their unique position leading the African Union and a seat on the UN Security Council to ensure that the deteriorating human rights situation, as well as the underlying causes of Zimbabwe’s crisis, receive global attention and are expeditiously addressed.”
“The African Union should raise its voice in response to the growing crisis, not provide a whitewash for ZANU-PF, and support South Africa’s efforts to engage all parties.”
“For its part, the United States should reinvigorate a strategy of pressure—including through anti-money laundering tools and additional targeted sanctions—on those most responsible for corruption and violent misrule to reform. The US must also boost humanitarian aid and support to civil society, and actively engage African partners to apply joint pressure.”
“These steps would make clear to ZANU-PF that only an end to repression and respect for human rights can put Zimbabwe back on a track towards peace, democracy, and renewed development. Reform, not repression, is the answer in Zimbabwe.”
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