the authority to issue such orders. This High Court decision led to the unblocking of all internet services by telecoms companies on the same day.91 REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Zimbabwean human rights organisations, individuals and opposition political parties have made a rallying cry to regional and international bodies to intervene in the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.92 Their calls are consistent with the international Responsibility to Protect endorsed by all United Nations Member States including Zimbabwe in 2005. It is premised on the fact that sovereignty entails a corresponding obligation to protect people from human rights violations and other atrocities. In a statement to African Union (AU) Chairperson Paul Kagame, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition warned the ongoing crisis might result in regional instability as Zimbabweans seek food, shelter and refuge in neighbouring countries.93 On 29 January, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said “To our brothers and sisters in the SADC region, we say this is the time to stand with peace-loving people of Zimbabwe. This is not the time to see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil, burying heads in the sand while a human rights crisis escalates into inordinate levels.”94 The actions by authorities have been widely condemned by a cross section of people in Zimbabwe and internationally.95 The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) raised concerns about international crimes including torture and other crimes against humanity. In the face of this condemnation, the government has remained intransigent. On 20 January, President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said what had happened so far was a “foretaste of things to come’, in reference to the crackdown.96 Despite the mounting calls and the deteriorating human rights situation, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) have been notable in their silence since the brutal crackdown which has also received widespread criticism from the United Nations, global human rights activists and political leaders. However, the Africa Commission on Human and Peoples Rights expressed concern at the internet shutdown in a number of countries in Africa including in Zimbabwe.97 While the European Union (EU) condemned the disproportionate use of force by the Zimbabwean government, the British government went a step further, summoning Zimbabwe’s ambassador to explain the gross human rights violations associated with the protests against the fuel hikes. 98 UK Africa Minister Harriet Baldwin stated that “While we condemn the violent behaviour of some protestors, and unlawful acts such as arson and looting, we are deeply concerned that Zimbabwe’s security forces have acted disproportionately in response. In particular, there are disturbing reports of use of live ammunition, intimidation and excessive force.” In response to the internet shutdown, the British government also urged for the government’s “reinstatement of full internet access, consistent with citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression.”99 The EU condemned “the escalation of violence in Zimbabwe…aggravated by the disproportionate use of force by security personnel.”100 The EU further called on the Zimbabwean government “to uphold human rights and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Constitution, and ensure due legal process for those detained.” High Court Judge Owen Tagu ruled that the order to shut down the internet was illegal because the Minister of State security who ordered the shutdown did not have the powers to do so. https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/just-in-zim-high-court-rules-internet-shutdownillegal-orders-govt-to-restore-full-internet-to-the-country-20190121 92 There are many messages on Twitter, Facebook and in news outlets from various organisations including the Zimbabwe Law society, The Pan African Lawyers Union, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Zimbabwe NGO Forum among many others 93 Zimbabwe Crisis Coalition statement signed by President Rashid Mahiya, 17 January 2019 94 Public Statement issued by Nelson Chamisa on 29 January 2019 and covered by various local and regional news media 95 On 25 January, the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) issued a statement in which they said they would take steps towards holding those responsible for the commission of the crimes accountable 96 Statement by the Sunday Mail attributed to George Charamba while on an official trip in Azerbaijan 97 Issued by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, 29 January 2019 98 In a statement published on 17 January, Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin said that the British government had “summoned the Zimbabwean Ambassador to the United Kingdom to attend the Foreign Office on 17 January to discuss the situation: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-statement-on-zimbabwe 99 Minister for Africa's statement on the situation in Zimbabwe, January 2019: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-statementon-zimbabwe 100 Statement by the EU Spokesperson, 17 January, 2019 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/56705/statementspokesperson-situation-zimbabwe_en 91 ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS, CLOSED FOR DISSENT’ CRACKDOWN IN ZIMBABWE DURING THE NATIONAL STAY-AWAY, 14-16 JANUARY 2019 Amnesty International 20