ZIMBABWE: HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK: A review of Zimbabwe's Human Rights Record 2018 to 2023 - Amnesty International - Zimbabwe
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- Written by: John Burke
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31st August Updates - see our article at https://zexit.org/zexit/zimbabwe-fails-the-electorate
The Election Observers and thier Missions prior to the Elections
European Union
Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will observe all aspects of the electoral process before, on and after the election day. The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Harare after the elections. The final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented and shared with stakeholders after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.
The mission is expected to comprise more than 150 observers from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland. An 11-person core team arrived in Harare on 8 July. 46 long-term EU EOM observers arrive in Zimbabwe on 22 July and are deployed to all ten provinces. They observe the electoral process in their areas and report back to the core team in Harare where the observations are analysed.
44 short-term observers will join the mission shortly before the election day. They observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. The mission will be also joined by a delegation of seven Members of the European Parliament, and diplomatic staff from embassies accredited in Harare. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.
SADC (Southern African Development Community)
I am pleased to inform you that the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the 2023 Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe consists of 68 personnel. They are from 9 SADC Member States, namely, Republic of Angola, Republic of Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, Republic of South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Zambia. Our observers have been deployed to the 10 Provinces of Zimbabwe, namely, Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West. The SEOM observations will focus on the pre-election, election and post-election periods, which include political parties campaigns; the voting day and the process of the counting of the ballot papers.
To that end, the SEOM has two components, Short- 5 Term Observation (STO) covering the period 10th – 24th August 2023, and Long-Term Observation (LTO), covering the period 25th August – 1st September 2023. We started stakeholder engagements in earnest since our arrival in Harare to appreciate the political, legal and security situation in the context of the elections in order to better inform the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia
https://www.sadc.int/media-releases-and-statements
You can read and download the SADC Reports on the election over 23-24th August 2023 Here for their intial findings, then here for their retort to the 'verbal attack' by Zanu PF actors.
The Observer Missions acknowledged the peaceful and calm nature of the pre-election and voting phases during the 23-24 August 2023 Harmonised Elections. However, they identified that certain aspects of the elections did not meet the requirements set by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
The Missions commended the people of Zimbabwe for maintaining a peaceful political environment throughout the pre-election period and on voting day. They will release a final report after the validation and proclamation of the final results, which will be shared with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and all stakeholders.
The long-term observers will continue post-election observation until 1st September 2023, and the SEAC will conduct a post-election review to assess the implementation of recommendations and provide necessary support. In case of electoral disputes, the Missions urged all contestants to follow established legal procedures. They also appealed to political parties, the people of Zimbabwe, and all stakeholders to allow the ZEC to announce the final results as mandated by law.
The African Union Mission
Read or download the African Union report Here
The Mission’s interactions with civic and political actors revealed that concerns persist regarding the process and outcome of the delimitation exercise. These included: allegations of inadequate consultation with stakeholders despite assertion by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that there were consultations at all levels; use of inaccurate population figures; gerrymandering in some areas to produce pre-determined election results; and limited civic education on the delimitation.
The Mission takes note of the Commission’s efforts to reach out and register as many eligible voters as possible. This effort was appreciated by some stakeholders the Mission interacted with but also raised some issues of concern as follows:
- a. That many potential eligible voters were left out due to lack of National Registration Cards which is one of the requirements for registration as a voter. They claimed that the process of obtaining the National Identity cards was not transparent in some areas in the country.
- b. Failure to open the review of the voters roll to political parties as a confidence building measure
- c. The limited time of only five days allocated to voters to check their registration status.
- d. Late release of the voters roll to political parties, candidates and other interested stakeholders
- e. High fees required to be pai d for those wishing to obtain a copy of the voters roll
- f. Limited communication by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to its stakeholders regarding the process and state of the voters’ roll
The US Embassy in Zimbabwe
https://zw.usembassy.gov/election-results-in-zimbabwe/ their latest comments made on the 29th August 2023 make interesting reading (click here) with respect to Free and Fair elections, which we see did NOT occur in Zimbabwe.
"For example, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other international electoral observation missions cited problems with transparency, independence, fairness, and credibility at all stages of the electoral process. The United States notes in particular the systemic bias against political opposition during the pre-election period and reports from respected civil society groups that ZEC officials pressured election observers to sign altered polling station result forms. We call on the ZEC to make the disaggregated polling station results publicly available to increase confidence in the result tabulation process."
"We also strongly condemn the intimidation and disruption of lawful election observers throughout the electoral period."
"These actions belie President Mnangagwa’s repeated pledges to respect rule of law, transparency, and accountability. The United States is engaging regional leaders to share our concerns, including what this means for the international community’s nascent efforts to reengage the Zimbabwean government."
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- Written by: Chief Felix Ndiweni
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I am Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna.
I was born and raised in Ntabazinduna Zimbabwe where I then completed my primary and secondary education. I came to the United Kingdom in 1981 to complete my further education at Polytechnic and University. I then worked in Local government in the East of London for many years. During this period I was always returning to Zimbabwe and also travelling extensively to some 62 countries.
My father was Chief Khayisa Ndiweni who was a signatory to the Lancaster House Agreement for Rhodesia / Zimbabwe. He was a Paramount Chief for 71 years. On his passing away in August 2010 through the Ndiweni Clan I ascended the Ndiweni Chieftaincy.
I have been assaulted, harassed and victimised many times by the Zanu PF government. I have also been detained and jailed by the Zanu PF government. Because for standing for the principles, of Rule of Law and democracy. Having sustained injury in detention I am now in the United Kingdom where I have and continue to receive treatment
REFERENDUM
FOR THE VOTE
and
THE DIASPORA VOTE
Fighting for the Right To Vote
“DEEDS AND NOT WORDS “
(The slogan for women fighting for The Vote as Suffragettes in 1903)
{There is no country in the world that can indefinitely deny its citizens their Human Right to Vote}
This year 2023 there are 108 political elections world-wide. Should we give or not give, these 108 elections legitimacy, purely on the basis that the word “election “has been used to describe them?
There is now need for a broader and stronger definition of what is an “election“. An international standard for an election.
Regarding the definition of what constitutes an election, we already have Election Observers, who write reports about the election they have observed. However, the Election Observers do not carry the necessary authority to make nation states comply with the international standard for elections.
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- Written by: ZHRO, ROHR, CCC-Diaspora and Chief F Ndiweni
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ZHRO PRESS STATEMENT
Date: 27 August 2023
On Wednesday 23rd August 2023, under the (claimed) administration of the 'Zimbabwe Electoral Commission' (ZEC), the Zimbabwe nation bore witness to an election marred by vote suppression, intimidation and intolerable abuse. The SADC report, along with the AU, EU UK and US observers, clearly highlighted these transgressions for the global community.
Despite these overwhelming difficulties, the resilient Zimbabwean people came forward in vast numbers, honestly casting their votes in the hope of a brighter and better future. For the sake of that elder woman who walked 2km and waited in line for two whole days to cast her vote, we will not rollover and accept fictitious lies.
However, tonight (the late evening of 26th August 2023), as ZEC declared their results, discrepancies have become glaringly apparent. The outcomes did not align with the evidence from the V11's recorded, a stark deviation that underscores the need for additional investigation.
It was as if ZEC had discarded all the original V11's and then fabricated "revised" V23's to suit the diktats of the Zanu PF regime and E.D. Mnangagwa in particular. E.D. Mnangagwa had even been offered "asylum" in Mozambique should he deem it appropriate, as at that time it was evident he was well behind in the polling. But no - 'old habits' die hard.
The absence of CCC's presidential candidate's Chief Election Agent's signature casts a shadow of doubt over the entire process. The questionable actions of some ZANU PF officials, who seemingly were privy to results in advance, further tarnish the credibility, fairness and transparency of these elections. We fear that this 'fundamental organ of democracy' can no longer be trusted to safeguard the votes made over the 23rd (and extended to) 24th August 2023.
The Election Observer Mission's preliminary report further echoes our concerns, pinpointing significant deviations from both national and international electoral standards. We unequivocally condemn the continued intimidation faced by CCC agents. Some were unjustly recalled by ZEC with the intent of amending the electoral results, an act that goes against the very essence of a democratic process. Reports of further abductions this evening also raises significant Human Rights concerns, and casts a dark shadow over the Zanu PF thugs involved.
In response to these challenges, CCC has initiated a comprehensive citizen's review of the vote count. Their endeavor is firmly rooted in hard evidence collected from all regions of Zimbabwe (V11 recording and sign-off). Their grassroots movement, made up of brave volunteers, endured intimidation, harassment, and violence. Yet, their commitment to uncovering the truth remains undeterred. ZEC's recent announcement only serves to galvanize their resolve.
In due course CCC will address the Zimbabwe nation, illuminating the path forward. Their allegiance to the millions of Zimbabweans advocating for trans-formative change is as steadfast as ever. They firmly believe that united, with truth as their guiding-light and justice as their goal, they can and will usher in the change Zimbabwe profoundly desires.
In closing. We appeal to all champions of democracy: Let's remain resolute in our collective pursuit. A new chapter in Zimbabwe's shared struggle awaits.
John Burke:
Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO)
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- Written by: John Burke
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The suspension of the Accreditation of one of the UAE's biggest Gold Refineries {may} have implications for Zimbabwe, and by implication its upcoming election. The #GoldMafia exposition earlier this year pointed a finger at Gold Refineries - although no specifics were uncovered. However this latest news may link the two aspects of this unsettling {for Zimbabwe} affair and the host of "players" exposed by the Al Jazeera Gold Mafia series. As reported previously - 14th April 2023 and 22nd May 2023
Indeed ZHRO, ROHR and CCC in the UK delivered a written Petition to Number 10 Downing Street on Zimbabwe's "Independence Day" - 18th April 2023 - 43 years of corruption, vote rigging and violence - See or Read the Petition here Also see our responses to our petition here and here with the Minister for Africa.
Bloomberg, Alarabiya.Net, Al-Monitor.Com and Bloomberg Twitter all reported the situation as in the following paragraphs - repeated herein. Their report links are also provided below.
The United Arab Emirates suspended the accreditation of one its biggest gold refineries over concerns that its owners had ties to alleged money launderers. Emirates Gold DMCC — which has operated in Dubai for more than 30 years — was last week suspended from the UAE’s Good Delivery List, according to a government website. The bullion committee, which is chaired by the Economy Ministry, removed the refinery due to concerns its owners were connected to alleged money launderers, according to people familiar with the thinking behind the decision.
The London Bullion Market Association, which regulates the UK capital’s precious metals market, followed suit on Friday and suspended the refinery’s affiliate membership after a due diligence review. It said it “takes very seriously any breaches of the rules,” without giving details.
As reported by Bloomberg, alarabiya.net, al-monitor.com, Twitter {Bloomberg Business}, and other outlets picking up on this #GoldMafia 'Bomb-Shell'.
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- Written by: Tendai Ruben Mbofana
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....as economic chaos becomes the order of the day; 20-hours no electricity and no more tap water. HARARE
--Can anyone surely wake up in the morning, take a bath, don his suit, put on his scarf, and look himself in the mirror with a satisfied smile, calling himself a leader - when the country he leads goes for hours each day without electricity or tap water, whilst the citizenry cannot afford basic commodities, as the local currency flies through the roof? What manner of a person can be happy being referred to as 'Your Excellency', when it is clear that his leadership is nowhere near excellent? Where is the 'Excellency' in someone who fails miserably to lead and govern a small country of only 391,745 square kilometres, and 15 million people - which is three times smaller than South Africa, in both area and population? Yet, Zimbabwe is endowed with some of the most sought-after mineral wealth on the planet.
Surely, can there be a larger monumental failure than failing to provide a simple thing as electricity, water and affordable food to the people whom one claims to be the head? Most assuredly I say, had this been me failing to provide such basic necessities to my own family, of whom I am also the head - they would have dumped me as a loser a long time ago.
Oh wait, actually it already did happen - when in 2006, the mother of my son ditched me in the midst of the worst economic crisis to hit Zimbabwe - as I failed dismally in taking care of their needs. As a matter of fact, the main reason I have never faulted her for leaving me, nor ever harbored any ill-will against her, is because what she did is perfectly logical and understandable. Anyone, especially in a position of leadership, who cannot adequately perform or fulfill his duties, and deliver on his mandate, has absolutely no business being in that office.He should be removed, rejected and ditched!
- Gold Mafia Protest in SA
- Jo'Burg ZIP Pressure SA Gov
- Gold Mafia Consequences
- 4 Part "Gold Mafia" Exposition
- Zimbabwe to Join BRICS?
- Petition Handover
- Petition Comments so Far
- Borderless African Community
- 16th Mar 2023 Petition to UK PM
- ZEC Gerrymandering
- Delimitation Report and Analysis
- Zim Dollar - UNCONSTITUTIONAL
- Free Job Sikhala Demo
- 2023 Election Environment - Intimidation and Violence
- Free Job Sikhala
- ZEC Errors and Incompetence
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Sanitation Article Count: 2
"The current water and sanitation situation in Zimbabwe faces many challenges around capacity, behaviours and the lack of investment in these sectors during and after the economic crisis of the last decade. Access to clean water is a basic right that is important for the survival of humanity yet it can be one of the hardest resources to attain." UNICEF.ORG