The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that it was deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that led to the situation in Zimbabwe. OHCHR further stated that is was concerned by “reports of the excessive use of force, including live ammunition,”101 by Zimbabwean security forces during the protests. The statement further stated that “we are also concerned that Internet services have been severely disrupted in the last few days.” United States of America Senators Chris Coons and Cory Booker, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the use of violence by the state security forces to quell the protests. “We are deeply troubled by reports of deaths, widespread arrests, beatings, and harassment of protestors by security forces of the Government of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean people have the constitutional right to protest peacefully and express themselves regarding developments in their country. Government officials and security forces must respond with professionalism and respect for human rights and the rule of law.”102 The two senators further called for the government to treat protestors with professionalism and respect for human rights and the rule of law, including the need for the government to rescind the directive ordering communication service providers to cut or restrict access to social media, internet, and telephone services. At the time of writing, Zimbabwe’s neighbours such as South Africa, Namibia and Zambia were silent about the human rights violations in Zimbabwe, despite having an obvious strategic historical relationship and deep diplomatic relations dating back to their post-colonial political affiliations. Zambia’s President, Edgar Lungu is the current SADC Chair for the Organ on Politics Defence and Security (the Organ) and despite calls from concerned Zimbabweans, he has not even called a meeting of the Organ to address the human rights crisis. Amnesty International calls on the SADC Chair to act swiftly to address the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Statement of OHCHR on 18 January, 2019 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24087&LangID=E Statement of US Senators on the Situation in Zimbabwe, 18 January, 2019 https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/senators-urge-zimbabwe-officials-to-respect-the-rights-of-protestors-and-restore-access-to-social-media-internet-and-telephoneservices 101 102 ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS, CLOSED FOR DISSENT’ CRACKDOWN IN ZIMBABWE DURING THE NATIONAL STAY-AWAY, 14-16 JANUARY 2019 Amnesty International 21