By Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has highlighted a significant gap between the country’s strong constitutional protections and the actual enforcement of civil and political rights.
In its 2025 human rights report, the commission accused State actors of failing to uphold constitutional freedoms amid shrinking civic space and ongoing socio-economic challenges.
Key points from the report include:
- Continued arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention of activists and journalists.
- Political intolerance and restrictions on peaceful demonstrations that undermine constitutional rights.
- Persistent fear among citizens caused by these violations, shrinking civic space despite constitutional guarantees.
- Economic and social rights violations due to an underfunded healthcare system, lack of clean water, and failure to provide free basic education, perpetuating poverty.
- Vulnerable groups face disproportionate discrimination and harm due to lack of enforceable legislation and adequate social protection.
- Concerns over authorities imposing unlawful requirements for demonstrations to be “sanctioned,” despite constitutional rights guaranteeing peaceful assembly and petition.
- The commission praised government initiatives, including:
- Partnership with UNICEF on a school feeding program ensuring at least one hot meal per day.
- The Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme supporting farmers’ right to food.
- Solar-powered borehole drilling projects improving rural access to clean water.
- Ongoing environmental hazards from untreated effluent and mine waste discharge threaten safe water access and increase risks of waterborne diseases.
- Government efforts to align national laws with international human rights obligations and reforms to strengthen institutions and public participation.
- The commission welcomed the government’s political will shown through re-engagement policies aimed at fostering international relations and promoting human rights.
ZHRC urged the government and all stakeholders—including civil society, the judiciary, and the international community—to close the gap between legislation and enforcement, ensuring that human rights in Zimbabwe become a lived reality rather than just constitutional promises. Adequate resource allocation and accountability were emphasized as critical to this process.
