What the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission said about public protests and the police

The ZHRC has received complaints on allegations of Police brutality and our ongoing investigations have revealed unbecoming and violent conduct on the part of the Police. This has led to unfortunate physical and emotional injuries to some innocent persons including minors. This is regrettable and we call upon the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of such human rights violations are prosecuted. To that end the ZHRC encourages members of the public who may have suffered human rights violations to come forward and lodge formal complaints with the Commission.

The ZHRC is also concerned by the indiscriminate teargassing of centers occupied by people some of whom may not be involved in the demonstration. This should stop and we call for due diligence and care to ensure that the rights and freedoms of innocent citizens are respected and protected.

The ZHRC abhors violence in any form. The Commission, therefore, calls upon all citizens who decide to demonstrate to do so within the confines of the law and never with violence. As Zimbabweans, we all have rights and duties that we need to exercise peacefully at all times.

In the case of violent protests or demonstrations, the right to personal liberty, rights of arrested and detained persons and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to a fair trial and rights of accused persons should be upheld at all times.

The ZHRC calls for an immediate end to violence, threats and intimidation by all perpetrators. We urge all Zimbabweans to exercise restraint and self-control and to remain calm. We urge the ZRP and respective arms of the Executive to ensure that citizens are permitted to demonstrate peacefully and utilise constructive dialogue to address genuine concerns.

(254 VIEWS)