Civic Space Shrinking in Zimbabwe; CSOs Enabling Environment Report!

Zimbabwe‘s political and economic situation is further deteriorating, this has been noted in a recently launched enabling environment report compiled by National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO Africa) in partnership with Reality of AID Africa and Civic Society Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE). The launch which was done on the backdrop of Global Day of Civic Action in partnership with CIVICUS drew more than 150 participants, with EU Ambassador as the guest of Honor, with other notable guests being Dr. Cephas Zinhumwe of NANGO, Dr. Patson Dzamara the brother to abducted Itai Dzamara, leaders of 13 political parties, the church, private sector, students and among other international partners.

EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe represented by Linda Kalenge noted that, ‘that the Cotonou Agreement, which guides EU cooperation with Zimbabwe, also recognizes CSOs as development actors in their own right and important partners in development co-operation. An empowered civil society is a crucial component of any democratic system and is an asset in itself, representing and fostering pluralism and contributing to more effective policies, equitable and sustainable development and inclusive growth.”

Patson Dzamara (younger brother to abducted Itai Dzamara) made a solidarity message on the occasion where he called on all Zimbabweans to take civic actions against the government as the rights to speak out – organize and take action are guaranteed in the new constitution yet have been systematically denied. He also in his remarks chronicled the journey he has undertaken in pursuit of his abducted brothers freedom taking civic actions such as organizing the solidarity march a year after his brothers abduction; staging a one-man protect on Independence Day and his social media campaigns.

He bemoaned that Zimbabweans had become more of analysts, backbenchers and conveners of gatherings taking minimal civic actions at a moment that the country is in a water-shed moment. The Executive Director of NANGO, Mr. Zinhumwe officially launched the report noting that it was an apt report that all CSOs must have in their offices and integrate in their interventions towards an enhanced enabling environment for CSOs. As part of the launch program, following the presentation of results participants engaged in a plenary session creating a heated dialogue around the shrinking civic space. The need to look at actions post the report launch to widen the space for CSOs within the country were noted key among these: digital security capacity building for CSOs; support for dialogues on enabling environment and alignment of laws to new constitution as draconian laws are still being used by government to restrict and monitor the work of CSOs.

Misheck Gondo the Director of NAYO noted that the research findings shall be disseminated to all stakeholders including the government, and there shall be follow up dialogues towards issues that need urgent attention. “Given that elections are around the corner a lot need to be done to avoid collapse of established bridges” he noted.

The report acknowledges the Busan Partnership which affirms CSOs role as independent development actors in their own right and highlights within the context of Zimbabwe issues within the enabling environment that have created or limited space for CSOs. The advent of the new constitution sets a window of hope in strengthening the development effectiveness agenda within the country as the constitution promotes civic participation, guarantees the freedom of assembly and association, promotes human rights and fosters good governance. These are critical for CSOs engagement, participation and development work. Zimbabwe has ratified various human rights instruments which include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); African Charter on Human and Peoples' Right and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. These provide guarantees for CSOs to enjoy rights to association, peaceful assembly and expression allowing for their work to progress smoothly.

Owing to the continued stance by government of suppressing the work of CSOs, the report highlights the plight of CSOs working in Zimbabwe sharing recent cases which demonstrate the urgent need for CSOs to be supported. It notes the disappearance of human rights activist and journalist Itai Dzamara, the continued arrests of CSO leaders and denial of the right to peaceful assembly and the restrictive registration of CSOs through Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO Act). However, the report also noted some positive developments in Zimbabwe such as establishment of the Constitutional Court, re-engagement of the International Community by Zimbabwean government, increased space for dialogues between government, civil society and development partners.

The report proffers recommendations based on best practice within the region and the lived realities of CSOs that were engaged in the process of creating the country report.

Nicole Jones
Contact: [email protected]