By Staff Reporter
HARARE – The embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union in Zimbabwe have issued stern condemnations of the escalating crackdown on opposition activists and human rights defenders by president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, just days before the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit.
In recent months, the Zimbabwean government has intensified arrests of opposition figures and activists, prompting widespread criticism of attempts to stifle dissent and curtail democratic freedoms in the country.
Jameson Timba, a factional leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), along with 78 others, was detained on June 16 under allegations of organizing an illegal gathering intended to incite violence and disorderly conduct, charges vehemently denied by supporters.
Despite appeals for bail, only three detainees, including two minors and Timba’s son, were granted release, while Timba and many others remain in custody.
The crackdown continued with the arrest of Kariba legislator John Houghton and a dozen activists after they staged a peaceful demonstration in the resort town demanding the release of their detained colleagues.
Further incidents included the expulsion of four human rights defenders from a flight at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, who were subsequently charged with disorderly conduct and await trial in Harare.
Adding to the wave of arrests, Bulawayo Ward 22 Councillor Bruce Moyo was detained on allegations of inciting violence, with reports of his parents facing intimidation from state security personnel.
Expressing deep concern over these developments, the United States embassy underscored that such actions contravene the constitutional rights of Zimbabweans to freedom of expression and assembly, principles fundamental to the democratic values upheld by SADC.
“The increasing reports of detention and violence toward Zimbabweans exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of expression and assembly run counter to the democratic principles upon which SADC is built,” said the US embassy.
Similarly, the European Union’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, representing Western embassies, urged Zimbabwean authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental freedoms enshrined in the national constitution and international human rights obligations.
“We, the Heads of Mission of the European Union in Harare, are deeply concerned about the multiple arrests that have occurred over the last two months.
“We urge the authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms in line with the Zimbabwe Constitution and international human rights obligations including on arrest, detention, and legal proceedings,” said Kirchmann
Echoing the same sentiments, the United Kingdom embassy in Zimbabwe emphasized their close monitoring of the situation and urged the government to ensure due process and uphold constitutional rights as the country prepares to host the upcoming SADC summit.
“Ahead of this month’s SADC summit in Harare, we urge the authorities to uphold the rule of law, including constitutional rights to assembly and association, and to ensure due process for all Zimbabweans,” the embassy said.
Amid these international calls for respect of human rights, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe, issued warnings against opposition activists planning protests during the SADC summit, setting a contentious backdrop for regional discussions.