United States Reiterates Zimbabweans’ Rights To Peaceful Assembly

The United States Embassy in Harare said that all Zimbabwean citizens have a right to peaceful assembly and association.

The statement was issued on Wednesday evening and follows the recent government crackdown on civic organisation leaders who are accused of attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government.

The United States Embassy in Harare statement reads:

All citizens and their civic leaders, political parties, or civil society organizations have the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and association.

All have important roles to play in contributing to Zimbabwe’s future and must be given the space and freedom to do so.

Meanwhile, the government has urged citizens not to protest over economic hardships after social media calls for protests to be held on Thursday (today).

Speaking to ZBC News on Wednesday night, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said:

The right [to protest] does not extend to forcing others to partake in activities against their wishes as well as disrupting them from going about their business.

The government has an obligation to protect all citizens including those who wish to carry on their daily lives undisturbed.

We, therefore, wish to assure the public that the security services will be ready to fulfil their constitutional mandate to maintain law and order as well as protect lives and property from insurgent behaviour.

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