Recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) findings have raised human rights fears in Zimbabwe ahead of the country’s 2023 general election.

Development Diaries reports that HRW made the findings in a 44-page report titled Crush Them Like Lice: Repression of Civil and Political Rights Ahead of Zimbabwe’s August 2023 Election.

It noted that Zimbabwean authorities have failed to take necessary steps to ensure that the general election scheduled for 23 August meets international standards for free and fair polls.

It is understood that over the past five years, the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly have been relentlessly suppressed in the country.

Journalists, members of the political opposition and human rights activists have all been targeted for criticising the government amid a sustained crackdown against those demanding accountability from the government.

HRW noted that the electoral process has been undermined by the authorities’ adoption and use of repressive laws, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) lack of impartiality, the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s partisan conduct and use of intimidation and violence against the opposition.

The report highlighted the opposition’s lack of access to voter rolls and impunity for individuals responsible for election-related abuses.

Development Diaries calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to adhere to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which it ratified in 1991 and put an end to repression of political rights ahead of the polls.

Photo source: BBC