Zimbabwe: Police Assault Journalists

Washington

In response to police in Harare using violence against protestors and journalists covering the protest, Freedom House issued the following statement:

“We condemn the violence used by police in Zimbabwe's capital against a peaceful public protest, and the journalists covering that protest”, said Lynn Fredriksson, head of Southern Africa programs. “This is another example of the lengths to which the government will go to silence its critics, while ignoring their concerns, and denying them their constitutionally-protected rights."

Background:

The protest carried out on August 3 focused on the country’s moribund economy, with demonstrators marching to the Minister of Finance, and protesting endemic corruption and police brutality. The country has been rocked by protests in recent weeks, most notably under the #ThisFlag movement led by Pastor Evan Mawarire, now in South Africa. Authorities have become increasingly more aggressive in dealing with protestors and the media covering their activities. 

Zimbabwe is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2016, and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016.