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Hon. Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC Spokesperson, has said the visit by the United Nations (UN) Commissioner
for Human Rights, Madam Mavi Pillay, comes at a very appropriate time and is a welcome development. Ms.
Pillay arrived in Zimbabwe on a five-day official visit to assess the human rights situation. "The objective of the
visit should be to assess the human rights situation in the country that involves the Commissioner interacting
with all concerned. Unfortunately, her visit has been monopolised by Zanu PF and we have seen a situation
where civil society and ordinary Zimbabweans have effectively been denied the right to interact with Madam
Pillay," Hon. Mwonzora said.
C i i v i i l l s o c i i e tt y g rr o u p s p rr e s e eporrtts n c (May o n ff l 2012) l i i c tt i i n g rr e
Western-sponsored civil society organisations yesterday presented a damning report on alleged gross human
rights violations in Zimbabwe to visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai endorsed the allegations in a meeting with Ms. Pillay at his Charter House
offices in the afternoon.
U .. N .. R i i g h tt s C o m m i i s s i i o n e rr d u o e assess i i n siittuattiion Z i i m b a b (May w e 2012) tt o
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, is due in Zimbabwe for a five-day tour
following an invitation by the power-sharing government. While political violence has eased over the past two
years, civic groups criticize President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party, which controls state security, for failing
to stem human right abuses. Observers say the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee, set to quell
tensions and respond to political clashes around the country, has not been effective.
1 5 m e m b err s off o p p o siittii o n p olliittii rrrestted c all underr p arrtt Publliic y ar Orrderr and Securriitty Actt (March 2012)
Zimbabwe police arrested 15 members of the MDC party. They will be charged under the widely-condemned
Public Order and Security Act (POSA). Police have over the years been accused of using POSA to target MDC
politicians and civil society groups critical of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, whose members are
rarely subjected under the law. Political analyst Nkululeko Sibanda commented that the MDC arrests were an
indication that free political activity remains a mirage in the country.
News archive
Government fails Human Rights test (October 2011)
Zimbabwe Justice Minister Under Fire For Rejecting Reform Amendments (October 2011)
West Using NGOs to Fan Instability, Says Minister (October 2011)
Freedom House Condemns Crackdown on Peaceful WOZA Protest in Zimbabwe (September 2011)
Zimbabwe's CSO’s launch advocacy charter at UN human rights council (September 2011)
Rights Group: Zimbabwe Police Arrest 13 Demonstrators (July 2011)
Chiefs want NGOs back (July 2011)
Police raid, invade WOZA members private meeting place (June 2011)
Zimbabwe rights groups protest crackdown (May 2011)
Constitution back on track as parties compromise (May 2011)
Zimbabwe: The Road to Reform or Another Dead End (April 2011)
Zimbabwe Human Rights Activist Charged With Failure to Register Group (April 2011)
Civic groups demand end to persecution of rights defenders (April 2011)
Joint statement on escalating violence, increasing instability and targeted victimization of civil society leaders,
the media and ordinary citizens (February 2011)
Free Activists Charged for Viewing Mideast Video (February 2011)
Government to Summon NGOs (July 2010)
EU demands 'concrete progress' on Zimbabwe rights (July 2010)
Outreach Process Monitors Face More Arrests and Threats (July 2010)
Copac Slams NGOs (July 2010)
VP Mujuru Warns NGOs (May 2010)