PRESS STATEMENT ON THE STATE OF CIVIC SPACE IN ZIMBABWE

 National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) Press Release on Civic Space in Zimbabwe,

HARARE, Zimbabwe, 18 January 2021

 The National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) is a Youth Umbrella Body for youth organizations working in Zimbabwe.  NAYO is a Youth Sector representative in the National Association of NGOs (NANGO).

 Acknowledging the steps being taken by the Government of Zimbabwe through the recently announced National Lock-down meant to contain the spread of Corona Virus; which has had devastating effects on the people of Zimbabwe;

 Committing ourselves to support the Government of Zimbabwe, Africa CDC, and WHO in fighting the deadly pandemic;  

 Noting with Concern the continued shrinking of Civic Space in Zimbabwe, in form of arrests, detention,  harassment of youth activists and student leaders. The continued detention of Student Leader Alan Moyo remains a cause for concern in a constitutionally guided democratic country. The lack of involvement, lack of dialogue between the government and Youth CSOs on the strategy to contain the virus need urgent attention. In recently announced regulations CSOs are not considered as an Essential Service; a set back for human rights and accountability;

 Guided by the dictates of the Zimbabwe Constitution in particular the Bill of Rights and the African Youth Charter-Article 4 on Freedom of expression which calls on the Member States to, ‘ensure that every young person is assured the right to express his or her ideas and opinions freely in all matters' and Article 5 on Freedom to Association which calls on the Member States to 'ensure that every young person has the right to free association and freedom of peaceful in conformity of the law;

 Perturbed by the continued criminalization of free speech and expression of dissent, detention without trial,  rise on pending Courts cases within the Courts of Zimbabwe, suppression of  peaceful protests;

We thus make an urgent plea and call to the Government of Zimbabwe and all relevant institutions and agencies of Government to:

· Consider Stakeholder Approach to uphold the Bill of Rights and create Enabling Environment for youth, citizens,  CSOs, and people living in Zimbabwe.

· Uphold the dictates of the African Youth Charter to which Zimbabwe is party, which calls on Member states to respect and uphold freedoms to expression and peaceful assembly for youth;

· Stop the arrest of youth leaders, activists and the immediate release of the young  people currently detained in prisons

· Take appropriate steps to engage CSOs as an essential sector in fighting Covid-19.

· Give urgent attention to the livelihoods of young people who have lost their sources of income through  Covid-19 restrictions.

 For further media inquiries contact: The NAYO Secretariat at  info.nayo@gmail.com   or via Mobile: 263 734 832 025