Zimbabwe: ‘Stay-Away’ Protests against Economic Policies, Late Salaries

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Washington  -  July 13, 2016 —   In advance of today’s planned stay-away protest in Zimbabwe, where citizens will protest government economic policies by staying away from their offices and schools, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The Zimbabwean government should respect citizens’ right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in Section 59 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which states that ‘every person has the right to demonstrate and to present petitions’,” said Lynn Fredriksson, director for Southern African programs. “The government has an obligation to protect freedom of expression. Authorities should not respond to peaceful protests with arrests and repressive measures, as happened last week.”

Background:
Prior to today and Thursday’s planned "stay-away," protests have taken place in Harare and other cities as a result of the government’s failure to pay civil servants, a new ban on the import of basic commodities, and grievances about corruption and a faltering economy. Authorities have arrested peaceful protestors and temporarily blocked access to the communications mobile application WhatsApp. Pastor Evan Mawarire, who has called for nonviolent protests through the popular #ThisFlag Twitter campaign, is now in custody, charged with “inciting public violence and disturbing the peace.”

Zimbabwe is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2016, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016.
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.
Join us on Facebook and Twitter (freedomhousedc). Stay up to date with Freedom House’s latest news and events by signing up for our newsletter. 

PUBLISHED BY ANJAN K SAMAL FOR
THE ASIAN CHRONICLE.

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