DeYA

Civic space continues to be restricted Zimbabwe. Authorities are applying a heavy hand when dealing with pressure groups and CSOs—there has been an increase in recorded cases of intimidation and threats of abduction to citizens, withholding permission for lawful protests and demonstrations despite these being guaranteed in the Zimbabwe National Constitution under Section 59, and other barriers preventing CSOs from conducting their work. Efforts to push for the repealing or alignment of draconian laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA); Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Act have not yielded legislative reforms. Youth CSOs have further restrictions imposed through the Zimbabwe Youth Council Act which among other things bans CSOs from operating without registering with council; controls to its discretion funding to CSO groups and through its subsidiary statutory instrument (S.I 4 of 2013) infringes on the freedoms to assembly and demonstration of youth groups. The Freedoms of Assembly, Association and Expression remain the key pillars of Civic Space and despite these being guaranteed in the National Constitution, citizens must be allowed to exercise such freedoms without any infringement.