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Diplomats Warn Zimbabwe Against Using COVID-19 to Restrict Citizen Rights

Columbus Mavhunga

   HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa's ruling party has dismissed as
   "rubbish" a statement by Western diplomats warning Zimbabwe's
   government not to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to stifle
   citizens' rights. The statement was delivered while more than a dozen
   citizens are in hiding for fear of persecution or prosecution for
   organizing an anti-government protest.
   Seven countries, including the U.S., have urged Mnangagwa to keep the
   inauguration pledge he made in 2018 to respect human rights. Western
   diplomats joined forces in a statement saying their countries would
   continue to assist Zimbabwe in addressing the humanitarian crisis
   caused by recurring droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
   "But COVID-19 must not be used as an excuse to restrict citizens'
   fundamental freedoms. Freedom of the press, of opinion, of expression,
   and of assembly are all universally recognized human rights and are
   guaranteed by the Zimbabwean constitution. The government also has a
   responsibility to investigate and prosecute those responsible for
   violating human rights," said the seven embassies in their diplomatic
   message.
   Zimbabwe's Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Saturday the
   government would not comment on the group's statement by the U.S.,
   Germany, Poland, Britain, Canada, Norway and the Netherlands.

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