Zimbabwe: Military officials must safeguard human rights
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 15 November 2017 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Zimbabwe: Military officials must safeguard human rights, 15 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a0c894a4.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In response to the military takeover and subsequent control of certain streets of the capital city Harare and the state-run broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Amnesty International's Regional Director for Southern Africa Deprose Muchena said:
"At this tense time, it is essential that the military ensure the safety and security of all people in Zimbabwe - regardless of their political allegiance - and refrain from any action that puts lives and human rights at risk.
"Military officials must uphold human rights, including the right to liberty, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The free flow of information - through the media and social media - must be guaranteed.
"The military takeover should not be used as an excuse to undermine Zimbabwe's international and regional human rights obligations and commitments."
Background
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces spokesperson Sibusiso Moyo announced the military takeover. He said that said they were targeting people around President Robert Mugabe who had caused "social and economic suffering" to bring them to justice.
