Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location: Geneva
Date: 18 January 2019
Subject:
1) Zimbabwe
We are deeply troubled by the socio-economic crisis that is unfolding in Zimbabwe and the repression of large scale
protests in the country, following the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices. We call on the Government to find
ways of engaging with the population about their legitimate grievances and to stop the crackdown against protestors.
We are concerned about reports of the excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by Zimbabwean security forces
during protests which started on Monday this week. People took to the streets to protest against economic austerity
measures and the rise of fuel prices, which affect their already impoverished households and businesses, and limit
access to basic goods and services.
Reports suggest that protesters burned tyres, used rocks to barricade roads, and blocked buses from taking passengers to work. A number of buildings were also set on fire and there were reports
of looting. Police responded with force, apparently including the use of live ammunition. There are credible reports of
a number of deaths – including of a police officer – and many more injured, as well as hundreds of arrests in relation
to the protests.
There are also worrying allegations of generalised intimidation and harassment by security forces carrying out
door-to-door searches. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has also received allegations of police beatings. According
to official figures presented by the Minister of National Security, more than 600 people have been arrested countrywide.
Among those detained are opposition leaders and prominent civil activists. We are also concerned that Internet services
have been severely disrupted in the last few days.
We support the call of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission for the Government to set up a national dialogue, with wide
participation of all sectors, to find solutions to the economic challenges the country is facing. We urge the Government
to work with the support of the international community to ease the current crisis.
We call on the Government ensure that security forces handle protests and exercise their power - especially the use of
firearms and live ammunition - strictly in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations and the
relevant principles, including legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and accountability.* State authorities
have a duty to ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, and to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful
assembly. It is essential that all sides, including the protestors, refrain from the use of violence and seek to resolve
the situation peacefully.
We call on the Government to carry out investigations into all reports of violence, including the alleged excessive use
of force by security forces in a prompt, thorough and transparent manner, with a view to accountability.
All those detained for the exercise of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression should be promptly
released.
ENDS
* UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, especially paras 5, 9, 12, 13 and
14: https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/useofforceandfirearms.aspx
2) Montenegro
We are concerned about the sentencing by the High Court of Podgorica on Tuesday of investigative journalist Jovo
Martinović to 18 months in prison on charges of drug smuggling and membership in a criminal organization. Martinovic had
already served a prolonged period of pre-trial detention and there are concerns that his case might be politically
motivated as credible evidence is yet to be brought in connection to his case.
We urge State authorities to ensure that journalists are able to work in a free and enabling environment without fear of
imprisonment or violence, including those involved in investigations of illicit trafficking and organized crime. We
reiterate our call to Montenegrin authorities to comply with their international obligations to protect the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, and to ensure due process and judicial safeguards for all