•
Cases of harassment and the arrests of journalists continue.
•
Non-constructive polarization between the public and private media- with exiled radio stations
being one important source of information in the ‘private’ domain.
•
No actual reform or repeal of repressive media and access to information laws.
•
Former Chairman of the Media and Information Commission (MIC), Tafataona Mahoso, was
retained to serve as the ZMC’s secretariat. Under Mahoso’s dubious management, the MIC
was responsible for suppressing all independent media development.
•
Appointment of facilitators for ZMC instigates vitriolic debate amongst political parties.
•
State still shows no desire to free the airwaves.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Compliance
•
Some rallies, meetings and demonstrations were allowed to go ahead unimpeded. Additionally,
most civil society initiatives in communities have proceeded. However, the operating
environment remains very insecure and changeable.
•
Political agents appear willing sometimes to participate in civil society workshops with a
greater level of independence and freedom than would have been possible previously.
•
While police and local authorities have insisted that they be notified of all events and workshops
taking place, in general they have not sought to prevent these from occurring, and on occasion
have apprehended those who would disrupt civic activities.
•
Launching of COPAC Constitutional Outreach Process on 16 June, where GPA principals
condemned political violence and intimidation.
Non-compliance
•
POSA is still being used by the police to curtail freedom of association, expression and
movement. Its Amendments have not passed through the final reading stage in Parliament
yet despite its urgent need.
•
Unlawful arrests and detentions of human rights defenders have continued, with the intention
of frightening people into silence or to cease their activities.
•
ZANU-PF- sponsored coercion has escalated in the rural areas in a bid to curtail the expression
of opinions in the upcoming constitutional outreach. The abuses are mainly being perpetrated
by soldiers, youth militias, war veterans and some village headmen.
CIVIL SOCIETY MONITORING MECHANISM (CISOMM)
SIX MONTH SHADOW REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INCLUSIVE OF ZIMBABWE
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