Human Rights Watch has set up a blog to monitor the human rights environment around upcoming national elections on 30 July, and any runoff election on 8 September
The blog went live today and is expected to run until 7 August.
The human rights body said that despite the departure of President Robert Mugabe there are serious concerns that a lack of concrete electoral reforms risks compromising the elections’ credibility.
“Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s repeated promises that elections will be free and fair, the ability of voters to freely choose their leaders without a repetition of historical infringements on their basic rights requires close monitoring and reporting,” it said.
“The Zimbabwe Election and Human Rights blog, which goes live (today), will analyze events and developments from a human rights lens, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
“Human Rights Watch researchers will monitor the military and other state security forces that have for many years interfered in the nation’s political and electoral affairs, adversely affecting the right of Zimbabweans to vote for the candidates of their choice.
“The blog will spotlight security forces’ involvement in the electoral process, application of the laws, incidents of intimidation and violence, and the overall impact of security forces’ actions on the elections.”
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