The state of the Right to Peace in Zimbabwe as the
Declaration of Human Rights turns 70
Introduction
ABOUT ZPP
The organisation was founded in 2000 by church-based and
human rights organisations. The current members of ZPP are
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council
of Churches (ZCC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), Counselling Services Unit (CSU),
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Civic
Education Network Trust (CIVNET), Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights (ZLHR) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
(WCoZ).
ZPP recorded a total of 124 cases containing 226 human
rights violations showing a downward trajectory from the
266 violations recorded in August. In comparison to the
previous month, there has been a spike in the cases of
discrimination with the highest being reported from
Midlands, followed by Masvingo, Manicaland and
Mashonaland East. 121 violations are linked to
ZPP was established with the objective of monitoring,
documenting and building peace and promoting the peaceful
harassment with the majority of the cases of intimidation
resolution of disputes and conflicts. The Zimbabwe Peace
concentrated in the provinces of Masvingo, Manicaland,
Project seeks to foster dialogue and political tolerance through
Midlands and Mashonaland East. Individuals linked to the
non-partisan peace monitoring activities, mainly through
ruling Zanu PF party were responsible for perpetrating
monitors who document the violations of rights in the provinces.
The monitors, who at full complement stand at 420, constitute
most of the violations. Zimbabwe Peace Project
the core pool of volunteers, supported by four Regional
commemorated International Day of Peace on 21
Coordinators. The Regional Coordinators relate with the
September under the theme ‘ The Right to Peace-The
national office headed by the National Director and programme
Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70’ in Chiredzi in
officers in various units.
an event attended by Chief Chilonga, 22 Headmen as well
as several ward councillors. The event was also supported
by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission through the attendance of Commissioner Dr
Golden Chekenyere who praised ZPP for being a fore runner in issues of peace and working well with
the commission to build peace. The highlight of the day was the handing over of the goat project
spearheaded by ZPP trained Peace Ambassadors to the community. By empowering communities
ZPP aimed to build sustainable peace in the Chilonga community.
Observations
The cholera and typhoid epidemics became a perfect litmus test of whether citizens in Zimbabwe
were enjoying the right to peace. The sanitation and clean water delivery is an issue that had been
spoken about for a long time and the epidemics were the explosion of the ticking time bomb.
The post-election period continues to be characterised by political reprisals, displacements, internal
political party contradictions, deteriorating state of socio-economic rights as well as partisan food
aid distribution. These are some of the unfortunate tactics of Zanu-PF as it continues to reaffirm its
dominance on the general population. Rampant discrimination has been reported at the newly
introduced Women’s Development Bank where only card carrying Zanu-PF women receive
preferential treatment in accessing loans. School children were also denied the right to basic
education after being sent away for non-payment of school fees in some schools.
MDC Alliance activists, particularly those who acted as polling agents continued to report cases of
victimisation that include intimidation, assault and arson against their properties. These reports
have either been dismissed by state media or law enforcement agents have not investigated the
matters to finality. Without investigating the source of the fires, the cursory glance by state media
and other state institutions of those reporting these incidences is inconsistent with the spirit of the
‘new dispensation’ as well as constitutionalism in an effort to ensure sustainable peace. This has
resulted in many cases of displacements being reported.
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