MILLICENT HUNGWE
HARARE-The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) today joined the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day, using the occasion to call for strengthened protection of human dignity, justice, and accountability in Zimbabwe.
This year’s theme, “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” echoes ZPP’s insistence that human rights are not theoretical ideals but daily necessities that uphold equality, freedom, and national peace.
Speaking to the media, ZPP’s Communications and Advocacy Lead, Kudakwashe Matambo, confirmed the organisation’s deep concern over the human rights situation in the country, describing 2025 as a year marked by persistent violations, deteriorating service delivery, and growing vulnerabilities among communities.
According to ZPP’s 2025 documentation, 1,235 human rights violations were recorded nationwide, affecting 44,853 people, including 24,476 women, 20,377 men, and 659 persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Matambo noted that these figures, while alarming, likely represent only a fraction of the actual violations taking place.
“These numbers point to worrying patterns of intimidation, persecution and violence against ordinary citizens,” he said.
“Abductions, torture, enforced disappearances, and degrading treatment continue to occur in communities and places of detention.
These acts directly violate the Constitution, especially Sections 51, 52, 53, and 49, which protect dignity, personal security, freedom from torture, and personal liberty,” he added.
ZPP acknowledged progress made by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), particularly in investigating prison conditions such as overcrowding, sanitation breakdowns, and poor healthcare services.
However, the organisation stressed that much more must be done for Zimbabwe to align detention conditions with constitutional and international standards.
The organisation also commended independent commissions, including the ZHRC and Zimbabwe Gender Commission, for expanding their outreach efforts.
ZPP urged these bodies to shorten investigative cycles and strengthen enforcement measures to ensure perpetrators of human rights abuses face swift justice.
Beyond direct abuses, ZPP highlighted worsening service delivery failures, which continue to infringe on citizens’ socio-economic rights.
Many communities across Zimbabwe are experiencing acute shortages of clean water, collapsing sanitation systems, unmanaged waste, and limited access to primary healthcare, these challenges undermine rights enshrined in Sections 73, 76, and 77 of the Constitution.
The situation in mining communities remains particularly grave.
ZPP reported increased cases of displacement, arbitrary evictions, loss of farming land, disruptions to schooling, and even fatalities linked to mining activities.
The organisation warned that violations of rights to property, education, administrative justice, and environmental protection are becoming systemic.
Equally concerning are reports of abuse by some foreign investors and companies, who have allegedly subjected workers and communities to physical, psychological, and economic exploitation.
“These actions violate labour rights and the fundamental rights to dignity and equality,” Matambo emphasized. “No perpetrator, local or foreign, should be shielded from accountability.”
As the world reflects on International Human Rights Day, ZPP called for united national action to rebuild trust, strengthen democratic institutions, and reaffirm constitutional obligations.
The organisation urged the State, independent commissions, law enforcement agencies, Parliament, traditional leaders, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate in safeguarding the rights of all Zimbabweans.
“Human rights are everyday essentials, not privileges,” Matambo said.
He went on to say, “Zimbabwe’s progress toward peace, development, and democracy depends on a strong human rights foundation. Today, we recommit ourselves, individually and collectively, to respecting, protecting, promoting, and fulfilling the rights that define our shared humanity.”
