Zimbabwe: Arrest of Opposition Activists Widens Trust Gap

By Chinomso Momoh
June 20, 2024

The arrest and continued arbitrary detention of 77 opposition members by Zimbabwean authorities is a violation of human rights and can widen the trust gap between citizens and the government.

Development Diaries reports that police arrested and detained 78 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, including interim party leader Jameson Timba, on 16 June, 2024.

Findings by Amnesty International reveal that the members had gathered at Timba’s house to commemorate the International Day of the African Child.

It is understood that, in violation of Zimbabwean law, the group was held in custody for more than 48 hours without appearing before a competent court, and they have remained in remand.

These individuals, who had peacefully gathered at a private residence, were exercising their basic rights to assembly and free speech.

Such a development only undermines the core values of democracy and highlights the government’s increasing intolerance towards dissent and political opposition.

This also tends to stifle the voices of those who seek to challenge and improve governance.

Furthermore, the arbitrary nature of these detentions is deeply troubling and indicative of a broader pattern of political repression in Zimbabwe.

International law and numerous human rights treaties to which Zimbabwe is a signatory explicitly prohibit arbitrary arrests and detentions and the actions of the Zimbabwean authorities blatantly disregard these commitments, eroding the rule of law and eroding public trust in governmental institutions.

The lack of due process and transparency surrounding these detentions only exacerbates the situation, raising serious concerns about the motivations and legitimacy of the government’s actions.

Development Diaries calls on the Zimbabwean government to ensure the release of these opposition members and drop all charges against them.

Also, the government must uphold Zimbabwe’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, including the rights to peaceful assembly, liberty and freedom from torture and other ill-treatment.

Source: Amnesty International