NANGO lambast police over excessive force on demonstrators

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) has lambasted the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) over violence against peaceful demonstrators.

The organisation said the Police Service response is contrary to the constitution that provides citizens the right to demonstrate and present their petitions 'Section 59'.

"Among many of its functions, the Police Service should protect and secure the lives and property of the people as such they should not be the perpetrators of property destruction and mortality drivers as witnessed in a case which took place in Bulawayo where a child died after police used teargasses at a flat," said NANGO.

"The police should not use excessive force, harassment, torture and brutal attacks on unarmed innocent civilians. The use of teargas in closed environments is prohibited under the international law as these intensify the risk of death by suffocation. As NANGO we insist that the state should be the principle guarantor and custodian of human rights with an obligation to protect, respect and enforce people's rights as stated in the Constitution Section 219 (1) c."

NANGO said it is therefore regrettable that the members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have distinctly reneged on its responsibility as a custodian of human rights to become a perpetrator of human rights abuses.

"The political, social and economic challenges the country is currently facing has further relegated many into abject poverty and inequalities. The message which the citizens are saying is simple, the government should address corruption, deal with the cash shortages, resolve economic challenges, reverse the ban on imports, refrain from the introduction of bond notes, among other multiple maladministration issues in government," said the organisation. NANGO

"Therefore calls on the government to consider the pertinent issues the citizens are outlining and address them rather than ignoring and becoming harsh towards the citizens.  On the other hand, NANGO does not condone violence and destruction of property by anyone."

Further, NANGO urged the government to display political will in addressing the longstanding issues that militate against the protection and promotion of human rights.

"These include repeal of repressive pieces of legislation, protection of vulnerable persons, cub corruption and bring to book all those involved in corrupt dealings, bringing to book all the members of the ZRP who were involved in all the brutalities which took place last week," said NANGO.

"NANGO strongly calls upon the government of Zimbabwe to uphold international human rights values and practices. In particular to; ensure that the rule of law prevails and that citizens are legally protected from reckless actions by state apparatus, remove the legislative and other impediments to the enjoyment of the freedom of association, assembly and expression of opinion, make the government officials responsible for the human rights abuses accountable to citizens for their actions through a fair and transparent process,"NANGO said.
     
"State should re-establish the social contract with citizens as a lasting solution to the current national crisis and guarantee the non repetition of similar incidences of human rights abuses."

NANGO said it is the officially recognised coordinating body of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Zimbabwe and its aim is to strengthen, represent and coordinate the work of NGOs in Zimbabwe by creating space, dialogue and engagement to enable the fulfilment of members' visions and missions.