ZHRC Monitoring and Investigative Report in the Aftermath of the 14 January
to 16 January 2019 Stay Away.
1.
Introduction
1.1
This is the final report containing the findings of the Zimbabwe Human
Rights Commission (ZHRC), pursuant to a monitoring mission that was
undertaken on the 17th - 18th, the 21st – 25th of January and the 11th of
February 2019 in Harare Metropolitan Province, Bulawayo Metropolitan
Province, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East in the aftermath of
disturbances that occurred from Monday 14 January 2019. The
disturbances were a result of a stay away that was called for by the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and other Civic Organizations.
1.2
The specific mandate of the ZHRC is to promote, protect and enforce
human rights and fundamental freedoms in Zimbabwe, and its
establishment and functions are elaborated in Sections 242 to 243 of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20 of 2013. The purpose of
the missions was to assess the human rights situation and the general
concerns raised by communities and to understand the factors that
contributed to the disturbances so as to make recommendations.
1.3
Following the announcement of fuel price hike by His Excellency the
President on the 12th of January 2019 and the general economic malaise
affecting the country, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and
other civic organisations including the #This Flag movement called for a
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