Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Tuesday noted with great concern the recent reports of violent clashes at rallies and called upon all political parties and relevant stakeholders to shun all forms of politically motivated violence.
This follows an orgy of violence unleashed by Zanu PF thugs in Kwekwe at a rally held by CCC leader Nelson Chamisa leaving at least one dead and several others with serious injuries.
In a statement, ZHRC also called on the law enforcement agencies to uphold the human rights and freedoms of all citizens, including freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
“The high level of political intolerance which has resulted in escalation of interparty and intra-party violence ahead of the by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections is disturbing and unacceptable in a democratic and free society that Zimbabwe is.
“For citizens to make informed choices, there is need for equitable access to the media so that the harmful effects of disinformation are mitigated.
“The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission therefore calls upon all political leaders to immediately de-escalate tension and re-engage constructively, in the interests of the people of Zimbabwe, with a view to agree on the modalities of conducting inclusive, free, fair, transparent, and credible elections,” ZHRC said.
The commission said political leaders have an obligation to not only ensure that electoral processes take place in a transparent and peaceful manner but are also responsible for preventing and discouraging their supporters from resorting to any type of violence before, during and after elections.
“Candidates and political parties should conduct constructive, issue-based campaigns that avoid amplifying societal divisions. The maintenance of national cohesion, peace and unity depend on campaigns that seek to unite rather than divide the electorate and respond to the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for sustainable development by the year 2030.
“There is need to embrace multi-party politics which is highly tolerant regardless of divergent political views. Political tolerance should be encouraged, and violence should be condemned by all political parties and actors. The Commission particularly condemns the use of inflammatory language by some political actors during campaign rallies, which causes tension amongst members of various political parties,” ZHRC said.
Article 25 (b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees the right to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections, which should be by universal and equal suffrage, held by secret ballot and guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors.
The ability to participate in public life personally or through freely chosen representatives is the hallmark of democracy.
The Commission unreservedly condemns the incidents of politically motivated violence and calls on all political parties involved in the electoral process to show restraint and refrain from provocative conduct or incitement of supporters to commit acts of violence.
“It is common cause that anyone who commits, orders, incites, encourages, or contributes in any way to the commission of violent crime is complicit in the violence and such persons should be held accountable for their conduct.
“Section 67 (2) (b) of the Constitution guarantees the right to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause of own choice and therefore the Commission strongly condemns all political violence as it is a violation of political rights and freedoms,” ZHRC said.
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