UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
ZIMBABWE
2016
Joint Stakeholder Submission
Freemuse is an independent international membership organization advocating and defending the right to
artistic freedom worldwide. Freemuse has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2012.
Jemtelandsgade 1
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark
Tel: (+45) 3332 1027
Email: ole.reitov@freemuse.org
Web: www.freemuse.org / www.artsfreedom.org
Nhimbe is a non-profit arts advocacy organization based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Through legislative and
grassroots action, Nhimbe advocates for national policies that recognize, enhance and foster the contribution
the arts make to national development.
84 Fort Street
Between L. Takawira and 6 Avenue, Canberra Building
Bulawayo
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 (0) 9 60002
Email: joshnyap@nhimbe.org
Web: www.nhimbe.org
Freemuse and Nhimbe welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Second Cycle of the Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) process of Zimbabwe. Our organizations’ focus is on Zimbabwe’s compliance with its
commitments under international human rights instruments relating to freedom of expression, creativity
and the arts, as well as guarantees under its own constitution, and to recommendations accepted by
Zimbabwe during the first cycle of the UPR in 2011. This submission in based on interviews with local
artists and a legal analysis facilitated by Nhimbe and qualified through a workshop held in Harare in October
2015 with local artists, journalists and human rights advocates.
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