Human Rights Archive Zimbabwe

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE FORUM ....................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................... i ACRONYMS ...................................................................................... vi REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS ......................................................... vii FOREWORD ..................................................................................... viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................... ix PART 1: LAYING THE FOUNDATION: INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ...................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE ................................................ 2 About the report .................................................................... 2 Methodology ......................................................................... 2 Human Rights in Zimbabwe – 38 years on ............................. 2 PART 2: THEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE .............................................................. 4 CHAPTER 2 ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: THE 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS .............................................................. 5 Free, Fair and Credible Elections ............................................ 6 Electoral Reforms ................................................................... 6 Credibility and Independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) ................................................................. 7 Voter Education and Registration ........................................... 8 Media Coverage .................................................................... 8 Disenfranchisement ............................................................... 8 Specific Violations .................................................................. 8 Food Aid ................................................................................ 9 Involvement of Traditional Leaders ......................................... 9 Specific Cases ........................................................................ 9 Election Violence ................................................................... 10 Specific Cases ........................................................................ 11 CHAPTER 3 GOVERNANCE .............................................................. 14 Legal Reform ......................................................................... 14 Public Trust of Public Institutions and Freedom To Voice Opinions ............................................................................... 14 Devolution ............................................................................ 15 ii STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018