Condemning Police Brutality and Unjust Arrests: Solidarity with Zimbabwean Student Activists – by Valentine Monalisa Mudonhi

24^th July 2024

Police brutality is a significant human rights issue, manifesting in various forms, including the use ofexcessive force, unjustified shootings, illegal detentions, and abuse during custody. In Zimbabwe, student activists exercising their fundamental right to protest and express dissent have been subjected to brutal and unwarranted physical assault.

I stand in solidarity with student activists and all individuals who fight for justice and human dignity.

I strongly condemn the unjust arrest and beating of over 50 ZINASU student activists attending their annual conference that took place today, the 24th of July 2024, at the ZESA Training Centre in Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe, by Zimbabwean police officers. Their crime? Simply meeting and discussing their student affairs. This act shows how ZANU-PF, under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa, blatantly violates human rights and the freedoms of assembly and expression.

The fact that student activists were beaten and arrested for exercising their right to assemble is not only unacceptable but also unconstitutional.

The Zimbabwean constitution permits private meetings in Section 58, which states that everyone has the right to freedom of assembly and association. There was no justifiable disruption of their meeting.

What’s most concerning is the selective application of the law. ZANU-PF, an actual political party (unlike students), holds gatherings left, right, and centre, even clogging the airport and moving in protected areas, yet no law enforcement agents stop them.

The Constitution is supreme; everyone must respect and uphold it without fear or favour. Every citizen is entitled to equal protection and benefit from the law. We cannot have one law for one group and another for everyone else.

#FreeZimbabwe 🇿🇼
#StopUnjustArrest
#StopViolationOfHumanRights

About the author
Valentine Monalisa Mudonhi is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is the Organising Secretary for the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.  She can be contacted by email at valentinemudonhi@gmail.com OR valentine.mudonhi@rohr-zimbabwe.org