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Zimbabwe human rights violations in decline by 10%
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The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has reported a slight improvement in the country's human rights situation, noting a 10 percent decrease in violations during May 2025 compared to the previous month.
In a report released on Saturday, the human rights watchdog documented 83 human rights violations affecting 5,376 victims nationwide in May, down from 6,059 victims recorded in April. The violations ranged from breaches of personal security, intimidation and harassment, assault, and political discrimination during government-sponsored food aid distribution, to restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. The report also highlighted limited access to social services, unjustified arrests, unlawful evictions, malicious damage to property, inhumane and degrading treatment, and restricted access to information.
For the second consecutive month, the ruling party Zanu-PF was identified as the primary perpetrator of human rights abuses, followed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Of those affected, 3,107 were female and 2,269 were male.
The report detailed the distribution of alleged perpetrators, with affiliates of Zanu-PF responsible for over a third of violations, followed by the police, local authorities, government officials, artisanal miners, traditional leaders, members of the MDC-Alliance, unaffiliated individuals, and a small percentage linked to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). The continued involvement of state security actors, whose mandate is to protect the public, remains a significant concern for the watchdog.
Despite these challenges, ZPP expressed cautious optimism about future improvements. The organization welcomed recent engagements with the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) through its goodwill ambassador, aimed at promoting a rights-based and accountable approach to security operations. The report expressed hope that other implicated institutions would be open to similar dialogues, which could pave the way for lasting solutions to end impunity and foster sustainable peace in Zimbabwe.
Geographically, Masvingo and Harare provinces recorded the highest number of violations in May, with 13 incidents each. Midlands followed closely with 12 violations, while Manicaland and Mashonaland West documented 10 violations each. Mashonaland Central experienced a significant decline, dropping from 13 violations in April to just four in May. Mashonaland East reported nine violations, and Matabeleland North and South recorded six each.
The ZPP also commended the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) for its role in highlighting urgent issues requiring government action, including the collapse of public services, shrinking civic space, and restrictive conditions.
The latest ZPP report underscores both the ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities in Zimbabwe's efforts to improve human rights protections and accountability across the country.
In a report released on Saturday, the human rights watchdog documented 83 human rights violations affecting 5,376 victims nationwide in May, down from 6,059 victims recorded in April. The violations ranged from breaches of personal security, intimidation and harassment, assault, and political discrimination during government-sponsored food aid distribution, to restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. The report also highlighted limited access to social services, unjustified arrests, unlawful evictions, malicious damage to property, inhumane and degrading treatment, and restricted access to information.
For the second consecutive month, the ruling party Zanu-PF was identified as the primary perpetrator of human rights abuses, followed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Of those affected, 3,107 were female and 2,269 were male.
The report detailed the distribution of alleged perpetrators, with affiliates of Zanu-PF responsible for over a third of violations, followed by the police, local authorities, government officials, artisanal miners, traditional leaders, members of the MDC-Alliance, unaffiliated individuals, and a small percentage linked to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). The continued involvement of state security actors, whose mandate is to protect the public, remains a significant concern for the watchdog.
Despite these challenges, ZPP expressed cautious optimism about future improvements. The organization welcomed recent engagements with the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) through its goodwill ambassador, aimed at promoting a rights-based and accountable approach to security operations. The report expressed hope that other implicated institutions would be open to similar dialogues, which could pave the way for lasting solutions to end impunity and foster sustainable peace in Zimbabwe.
Geographically, Masvingo and Harare provinces recorded the highest number of violations in May, with 13 incidents each. Midlands followed closely with 12 violations, while Manicaland and Mashonaland West documented 10 violations each. Mashonaland Central experienced a significant decline, dropping from 13 violations in April to just four in May. Mashonaland East reported nine violations, and Matabeleland North and South recorded six each.
The ZPP also commended the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) for its role in highlighting urgent issues requiring government action, including the collapse of public services, shrinking civic space, and restrictive conditions.
The latest ZPP report underscores both the ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities in Zimbabwe's efforts to improve human rights protections and accountability across the country.
Source - NewZimbabwe
