Title | Date added | Template | Date recorded | Category | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
E- Ballot Newsletter 7 | Feb 22, 2019 | Elections & violence | Sep 30, 2007 |
| This issue seeks to continue with the debate and discussions on some interpretations, implications, and prospects towards the 2008 elections in particular on the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 18. The issue looks at various aspects like the voter registration, which make up the fundamental aspects of a free and fair election. |
Fast Track Land Reform in Zimbabwe | Apr 2, 2019 | Justice & accountability | May 31, 2002 |
| This report considers the human rights implications of the so-called fast track process of land redistribution in Zimbabwe, under which the government has revised the constitution and amended legislation in order to allow it to acquire commercial farms compulsorily and without compensation, and the land occupations that have accompanied it since early 2000. |
Human Rights July 2019 Newsletter | Nov 5, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Jul 31, 2019 |
| The newsletter talks about the human rights developments in the country and keeps people informed on how "The Forum" worked for the realization and enjoyment of the rights of Zimbabwean people in the month of July. |
Lancaster House Agreement | Feb 11, 2019 | Institutional reform | Jan 1, 1980 |
| The Lancaster House Agreement was a political consensus which brought the independence of Zimbabwe from Rhodesian rule. The agreement came into being after a series of negotiations between the nationalist parties and the Rhodesian Front between September and December 1979. The Agreement was facilitated by the British and the American governments to bring to an end the 14 year war in Rhodesia between the Rhodesians and the guerrilla movements. |
Legal Resources Foundation 2014 /5 Annual report | Feb 18, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Report of the trustees of the Legal Resources Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2015 which includes auditors report and financial statements. |
Legal resources foundation 2015/16 Annual report | Feb 18, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Jun 30, 2016 |
| Report of the trustees of the Legal Resources Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2016 which includes auditors report and financial statements. |
Symposium Day 3 Report | Feb 14, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Nov 23, 2018 |
| Reverend Useni Sibanda opened the conference’s third day by assisting participants to reflect on first two days Symposium’s outputs drawing from various presentations and evidence by victims and survivors of the Gukurahundi atrocities. |
Symposium Report Day 2 | Feb 14, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Nov 22, 2018 |
| Day 2 of the NTJWG Conference being in Bulawayo began with participants visiting different historical sites and heritage centres which depict Zimbabwe’s conflict history and community healing practices. Visited places include; the Entumbane Reintegration Camps sites, the Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church and Amagugu International Heritage Centre. |
The Civic Education Network Trust (CIVNET) in Zimbabwe | Nov 18, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Dec 31, 2008 |
| Swedish Sida in Harare commissioned an evaluation to assess the impact of CIVNET’s activities and training programmes, for which they have provided funding support for the period between 2000 to 2007. An independent consultant, Ms Dren Nupen from Johannesburg, South Africa was contracted to undertake the evaluation because of her experience in the NGO sector in South Africa and the SADC region. |
ZESN August Issue 2016 | Feb 22, 2019 | Elections & violence | Aug 31, 2016 |
| New Amendments to the electoral Act falls short of expectations. |
ZPP MMR January 2017 | Feb 19, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Jan 31, 2017 |
| The month of January recorded many violations which were politically motivated. Most of the reported cases were harassment and intimidation of opposition political activists. Other prominent cases were those of deprivation of state sponsored food aid and inputs for farming. |
ZPP MMR June 2017 | Feb 19, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Jun 30, 2017 |
| A season of Rallies: Dominant human rights violations recorded during June 2017 revolve around preparations for the presidential youth interface rallies, Heroes Day commemorations, the upcoming Chiwundura by-election, continued barring of students from attending classes, harassment of vendors and discrimination during food aid distribution. |
ZPP MMR May 2017 | Feb 19, 2019 | Justice & accountability | May 31, 2017 |
| The month of May stands out owing to violations of the right to education, the right to food and civil and political rights mainly freedom of association and assembly. This May ZPP recorded the highest number of incidences where pupils were sent away from school for failure to pay school fees or clear the previous term’s arrears. |
ZPP MMR October 2017 | Feb 19, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Oct 31, 2017 |
| The Report Highlights how Zimbabweans are Prisoners of fear and how the farming season has contributed to an increase in cases of intimidation and harassment as well as discrimination as cases of discrimination have increased from 21 to 31. |
ZPP MMR September 2016 | Feb 19, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Sep 30, 2016 |
| Social and citizen movements continue to gather momentum although in the month under review their activities have been restricted by the ban on protests affecting Harare. The social movements and unions like #Tajamuka, #ThisFlag, #ThisGown, National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ), Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) and have been recently joined by the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), a coalition of 18 political parties. |
ZPP Sept 2015 MMR | Feb 19, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Sep 30, 2015 |
| The report stresses how the political environment continues to be stressed with various coercion phenomena manifesting around several sticky issues thus support or starve. |
‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’, CLOSED FOR DISSENT CRACKDOWN IN ZIMBABWE DURING THE NATIONAL STAY-AWAY 14-16 JANUARY 2019 | Apr 1, 2019 | Extra-judicial Killings | Jan 16, 2019 |
| This briefing analyses events and the context, and documents key human rights concerns in months prior to, during and following the national stay-away protests which started on 14 January 2019 and ended on 16 January 2019. The findings are based on interviews with witnesses, victims, victims’ families, human rights defenders and activists, journalists, lawyers and Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as desk-based research. |
“A Woman’s Place is in the Home?” – Gender Based Violence and Opposition Politics in Zimbabwe.
| Apr 11, 2019 | Gender | Dec 31, 2006 |
| This report, examining the violent and turbulent years between 2000 and 2006, shows that Zimbabwe has been no exception in this regard. |
“At the boiling point of the pain”.
Report of a pilot study examining the efficacy of psychotherapy for torture survivors.
| Apr 1, 2019 | Justice & accountability | May 31, 2002 |
| This study has been influenced by our reading of similar literatures in relation to the psychological and social effects of the trauma resulting from organised violence and torture. While we will not be reviewing that literature in depth in this report, it does seem important to note that there is a large body of literature relating both to similar experiences elsewhere in the world and also within the specifically Zimbabwean context. |
“Bullets for Each of You” State-Sponsored Violence since Zimbabwe’s March 29 Elections | Apr 3, 2019 | Elections & violence | Jun 30, 2008 |
| This report, based on investigations in Zimbabwe, describes the scale of the abuses and identifies those responsible—officials from ZANU-PF, often working through proxy forces of so-called war veterans and youth militia, backed by members of the armed forces and police. Local institutions have identified at least 2,000 beatings and cases of torture. |
“Clear the Filth” : Mass Evictions and Demolitions in Zimbabwe
| Apr 3, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Sep 11, 2005 |
| This report tells the stories of the mass evictions and house demolitions and the continuing suffering of those affected, mostly in the words of victims. Women, children and men recount how they were forced to destroy their own houses, often at gunpoint. |
“Clear the Filth”-Mass Evictions and Demolitions in Zimbabwe
| Mar 27, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Sep 11, 2005 |
| The Zimbabwean authorities claimed that the destruction of homes and other properties is part of a long-term plan to clean up the urban areas, restore order, rid the cities of criminal elements and restore dignity to the people. |
“NOW THE WORLD IS WITHOUT ME ”: AN INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
| Apr 8, 2019 | Gender | Apr 30, 2010 |
| This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu Province. Using a non-systematic convenience sample, interviews were conducted on sexual violence survivors as they presented to Panzi Hospital requesting services from the Victims of Sexual Violence Program. |
“Our Hands Are Tied” : Erosion of the Rule of Law in Zimbabwe | Apr 3, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Nov 30, 2008 |
| This report finds that legal accountability and the rule of law in Zimbabwe have been seriously eroded under the ZANU-PF government through its interference in the criminal justice system. It shows that victims of human rights abuses—mainly MDC supporters—continue to be denied their right to justice and an effective remedy. |
“Resolute action to immediately revive the grassroots structures?” Or Crimes Against Humanity? | Apr 11, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Dec 31, 2008 |
| In this report, the Human Rights Forum made the very strong allegation that the Government of Zimbabwe is complicit at the least in the commission of Crimes against Humanity. |
“They Beat Me like a Dog”
Political Persecution of Opposition Activists and Supporters in Zimbabwe | Apr 3, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Aug 31, 2008 |
| This report describes abuses by ZANU-PF that continue to take place despite ongoing negotiations between the two parties. Hundreds of MDC activists who fled the violence in the weeks before the June 27 runoff remain in hiding while “war veterans” and youth militia continue to terrorize villagers in the rural areas. |
“You Will Be Thoroughly Beaten” The Brutal Suppression of Dissent in Zimbabwe | Apr 1, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Nov 30, 2006 |
| This report highlights the repressive tactics that the government has used in the past year to suppress the increasing political and economic discontent among the population. The police have arbitrarily arrested hundreds of civil society activists during routine meetings or peaceful demonstrations, often with excessive force, and in some cases subjected those in custody to severe beatings that amounted to torture, and other mistreatment. |
“You Will Get Nothing” Violations of Property and Inheritance Rights of Widows in Zimbabwe | Apr 3, 2019 | Gender | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Zimbabwean law provides for relatively equal property and inheritance rights for men and women. However, many of the women Human Rights Watch interviewed struggled to claim those rights for reasons unique to their status as widows. In Zimbabwe’s recent history, men traditionally owned all family property, and when women were widowed, they were often “inherited” as wives by male relatives of their deceased spouse. |
1. What is a Constitution | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The constitution of a country is a set of rules that define the nature and extent of the country’s government. It is sometimes referred to as the country’s fundamental or basic law, and has supremacy over all other laws. |
2. A Preamble to a Constitution | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The preamble to a constitution is an introduction to the constitution and usually bears the formal heading “Preamble”. It presents the history behind the constitution’s enactment, and sometimes sets out the nation’s core principles and values. |
3. Founding Principles of a Constitution | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Founding Principles of the Constitution can be described as: “those values that citizens commit themselves to their adherence. They are the foundations of the Constitution and they reflect the manner in which the people desire to be governed.” |
4. The Constitution and the Rule of Law | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Our current Constitution states that public officers owe a duty to everyone in Zimbabwe to observe and uphold the rule of law [section 18(1a)], and the “Kariba Draft” Constitution contains a similar provision.Fundamentally it means that people’s rights and obligations must be determined by laws rather than by individuals or groups of individuals exercising an arbitrary discretion. |
5 points for new government | Mar 28, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Feb 28, 2009 |
| The report emphasizes on Putting HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE TOP OF THE POLITICAL AGENDA and Amnesty International is also concerned about the deteriorating economic and social conditions in Zimbabwe. In particular, the organisation is concerned about the increased food insecurity, collapse of public health, and failing education system. |
5. Citizenship | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Citizens form the basis of every independent State because a State is an abstract concept comprising the people who live within a defined area. Of the people who constitute a State it is the citizens who have a right to determine who will govern them and, sometimes, to decide the form which their government should take. |
6. A Declaration or Bill of Rights | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2018 |
| The purpose of a Declaration or Bill of Rights is to protect the rights of citizens and ordinary people living in the country. Although generally these rights must not be overridden by the government, some have to be qualified. |
7. Social and Economic and Cultural Rights | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Here, when we refer to “social, economic and cultural rights” [“SEC rights”] we mean second-generation rights as well as any third-generation rights which are capable of being defined reasonably clearly. |
8. Separation of Powers | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| In essence, the doctrine of separation of powers is that for a free and democratic society to exist there must be a clear separation between the three branches of government, namely: The Executive,The Legislature and The Judicial Branch. |
9. Executive Powers | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The Executive, the branch of government headed by the President, is currently the most powerful of the three branches. The President and his Ministers control the Defence Forces, the Police and the civil administration; they represent the country in its dealings with foreign governments; and generally they are responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the country. The Executive is the branch of government which impinges most frequently on the lives of ordinary people. |
10 18 Gonese et al v President et al | Feb 28, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Oct 31, 2018 |
| This is an application in terms of s 167(2)(d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe for the Court to determine whether Parliament or the President has failed to fulfil a constitutional obligation. The applicants aver that the respondents have failed to do so in respect of the presentation and passage of the Local Government Amendment Act No. 8 of 2016 in Parliament. It is further averred that presenting and passing a Bill in contravention of the Constitution amounts to a failure to fulfil a constitutional obligation. |
10. Legislature | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The legislative branch of government is the branch which makes laws for the country. A legislature embodies the idea that people are the source of political power in the State and should control the law-making process. |
11. The Judiciary | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The judiciary is one of the three main branches of government, the other two being the Legislature (i.e. Parliament) and the Executive (the President, Ministers, the Public Service, the Police and Defence Forces). The judiciary consists of all judicial officers, namely, the people such as judges and magistrates who decide civil and criminal cases in courts. |
12. Security Services and Security Service Commissions | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| The disciplined services – the Defence Forces (consisting of the Army and the Air Force), the Police Force and the Prison Service – are the subject of separate parts of the present Constitution. |
13. The Public Service and Public Service Commission | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| As the name implies, the Public Service exists to serve the public. Public servants are paid by the public and should serve the public impartially and in a professional manner, irrespective of their own political views or those of the members of the public with whom they are dealing. |
14. Constitutional Commissions | Feb 25, 2019 | Institutional reform | Dec 31, 2013 |
| Four constitutional commissions are established by the Zimbabwean Constitution: • The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission • The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission • The Zimbabwe Media Commission • The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. |
31 August 2016 Newsletter | Dec 16, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Aug 31, 2016 |
| ZHRC speaks to human rights victims |
31 August 2017 Commission Newsletter | Dec 16, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Aug 31, 2017 |
| ZHRC’s ability to go ‘where the angels fear to tread’ impresses Speaker |
31 January 2017 Newsletter | Dec 16, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Newly appointed Executive Secretary hopes to leave a mark |
54 18 City of Harare v Mushoriwa | Mar 1, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Sep 20, 2018 |
| This is an appeal against the judgment of the High Court granting a provisional order in favour of the respondent pursuant to an urgent chamber application filed by the latter. |
2005 Parliamentary Elections | Feb 11, 2019 | Elections & violence | Mar 31, 2005 |
| The 2005 Parliamentary elections represented an important improvement on the 2000 and 2002 elections in that the elections were performed in a peaceful environment without state-controlled violence. Despite this notable improvement from previous elections, the Parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet some key internationally recognised election standards. |
2007 07 05 Zim NATIONAL HIV VACCINE Policy Guidelines draft1V | Nov 21, 2019 | Promotion of truth | May 7, 2007 |
| The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to government and non governmental sectors and scientific groups in Zimbabwe working with international,regional and national stakeholders and communities in the development and evaluation of candidate vaccines relevant to Zimbabwe. |
2008 Elections | Feb 11, 2019 | Elections & violence | Mar 29, 2008 |
| On March 29, 2008, Zimbabwe held presidential, parliamentary and local elections. Months later, the country’s political future remains uncertain. For the first time since independence, the ruling party has lost its majority in the National Assembly. After a month of rising tensions, the results of the presidential race were belatedly announced on May 2. |
2008 MDGsOfficialList | Mar 4, 2019 | Institutional reform | Jan 15, 2008 |
| These are Goals and targets from the Millennium declaration and indicators for monitoring progress progress. |
2013 ZLHR Pre election report | Feb 19, 2019 | Elections & violence | Jun 30, 2013 |
| The harmonised elections set for 31 July 2013 remain perhaps the most significant yet contested polls in the history of Zimbabwe. Not only has the timing of the actual poll been uncertain, but the polls are also approaching at a time when the curtains are coming down on the embattled Inclusive Government (IG) that was akin to a love-hate relationship amongst the three main political parties represented in Parliament. |
2017 Mazowe Arnold Farm Report | Dec 16, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Dec 31, 2017 |
| This report contains findings of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC/Commission), pursuant to an investigation undertaken by the ZHRC into a complaint alleging the violation of the right to freedom from arbitrary eviction through the demolition of houses belonging to the complainants by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Complainants are from Arnold farm which is part of the six farms that formed a game park known as Manzou Game Park. |
2018 NTJWG Symposium Summary Report | Feb 14, 2019 | Justice & accountability | Nov 23, 2018 |
| From 21 to 23 November 2018, over 118 delegates converged in Bulawayo for the 2018 Transitional Justice Policy Symposium which was jointly convened by the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). The theme of the symposium was, ‘Never Again: Setting the Transitional Justice Agenda for Zimbabwe.’ |
2018 or 2023 Summary of opinions on delimitation in Zimbabwe | Feb 20, 2019 | Elections & violence | Dec 31, 2017 |
| Delimitation is the process of redistricting of constituencies for the purposes of elections. It divides the country into constituencies and wards for the purposes of elections of persons to constituency seats in the National Assembly and of councillors to local authorities. In Zimbabwe, the process is carried out in terms of sections 160 and 161 of the latest Constitution (2013). |
A Case for National Dialogue in Zimbabwe | Mar 4, 2019 | Institutional reform | Jan 2, 2019 |
| This brief provides insights on what constitute a national dialogue, why it is necessary, its success potentials, challenges and possible steps towards an inclusive process in Zimbabwe. Towards a step in the right direction, President Emerson Mnangagwa, on 22 January 2019, called on political parties, churches and civic society leaders to a national dialogue platform. |
A CRITICAL REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF ZIMBABWE’S ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL, 2011 | Feb 22, 2019 | Elections & violence | Dec 31, 2011 |
| This is a review by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (“ZESN”) of the proposed amendments to Zimbabwe’s legislation on the management and conduct of elections in the country. The Electoral Amendment Bill, 2011 (hereafter, “the Bill”) seeks to amend the Electoral Act (Chapter 2: 13) (hereafter, “the Act”). |
A Fractured Nation | Apr 8, 2019 | Promotion of truth | Jul 30, 2010 |
| This report follows up on previous OM research conducted by SPT in 2005 and 2006 and build on narratives of the lives of particular families and informal settlements from 2005 to 2010. The story is a grim one with many of those we remembered now prematurely dead, and others living in unspeakable poverty. |
A Preliminary Study Into Zimbabwean Societal Perceptions of Rape | Mar 5, 2019 | Gender | Apr 30, 2013 |
| This report is based on the results of this study, which was done through the administration of a questionnaire prepared by RAU with a special focus on rape as a component of sexual violence. The study revealed interesting findings about how people view rape including that,Most people had a good understanding of what rape is and they based it on cultural implications. |