Full preliminary findings of the UN special rapporteur on sanctions to Zimbabwe

Contextual background

U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe began in 2001 by blocking its access to funds from international financial institutions. This was eased in 2018 to allow access to funds for social programmes. U.S. targeted sanctions were introduced in 2003 by blocking property and interests in property of Zimbabwe officials and others accused of undermining democracy with acts that led to widespread violence. The sanctions were broadened in 2005 and 2008 to ultimately cover senior officials and entities accused of undermining democracy or providing support toward that end, family members of sanctioned individuals, state-controlled entities and persons accused of human rights abuses linked to repression and corruption. The sanctions currently target 83 individuals and 37 entities. Many targeted individuals and companies are involved in key economic sectors.

The European Union imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2002, citing human rights abuses; these included an arms embargo and targeted financial sanctions (asset freezes). At its peak, the targeted sanctions listed 95 individuals and 9 entities. Most listings were suspended in 2013 after a referendum on a new constitution, and in 2014 the EU revived direct development cooperation that had been suspended since 2002. In 2021, the EU, citing a deteriorating humanitarian situation and human rights violations, prolonged its arms embargo and its asset freeze against one state-owned company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, in connection with alleged human rights abuses by security forces.

In January 2021, amid Brexit, the UK listed four Zimbabwe individuals and one entity under its own sanctions to encourage democratic principles and the rule of law, a halt to repression and compliance with human rights law. One individual is designated under a UK anti-corruption regime.

Australia imposed an arms embargo as well as financial sanctions and travel bans against political leaders and other persons in Zimbabwe in 2002, citing human rights abuses and disrespect for the rule of law. In 2013, after the constitutional referendum, it lifted many of these sanctions but the arms embargo and sanctions against some individuals and entities have remained in force.

Switzerland imposed an arms embargo against Zimbabwe and froze the assets of President Robert Mugabe and close associates in 2002, citing human rights violations. One aim was to prevent Swiss financial institutions from being used to circumvent other states’ sanctions against Zimbabwe. The Swiss sanctions were lifted in 2013 when Zimbabwe adopted a new constitution, except for sanctions against Mugabe and his wife (she was delisted in 2020 after his death in 2019) and against Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

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