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These reports are compiled by our monitors and are intended to outline developments that occurred that impinge or are likely to impinge on the public’s free expression rights, which include access to information. A violation of freedom of information entails anything that unjustifiably stifles the public’s access to information by, for example, closing down channels for accessing such information, threats and harassment of media workers, or curtailing the public’s right to freedom of expression, assembly and association
These documents have been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU), the Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD) and the Netherlands Institute of Southern Africa (NiZA). The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of MMPZ and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU, NORAD or NiZA.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this report has been obtained from mainstream print and electronic media and as such the report is not intended to be and cannot be regarded as an exhaustive record of all information rights violations that occurred in Zimbabwe during the period under review. The PIRF does not take responsibility for inaccuracies or exaggeration of information reported in the media.
PIRF Reports 2005
PIRF December 2005 report
- Government’s cynical attitude to freedom of expression and the related right to freedom of assembly reached hysterical proportions in the period under review.
PIRF November 2005 report
The period under review saw a marginal increase in the number of violations compared to September and October 2005. The pattern of the violations was also significantly different. Notably, there was not a single report implicating ZANU PF in any rights violations.
PIRF October 2005 report
It is often argued, and accurately too, that the first casualty of repressive regimes is freedom of expression. The media and outspoken organisations and individuals are always among the first targets of such regimes.
PIRF September 2005 report
The problem with international and regional treaties that different state parties, including Zimbabwe assent to is that too often it appears they are not signed with the intent of implementing them at all.
PIRF April 2005 report
The March 2005 general election has come and gone but the aftermath is predictably marred by controversy. This comes very much against the optimism ushered in by SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections adopted in Mauritius in August 2004. One that stood out was the application of the election observation benchmarks.
PIRF March 2005 report
Democratic elections by their nature are inevitably competitive. While it is true that incumbent parties tend to enjoy certain advantages there should be no compromise on the need to guaranteeing basic civil and political rights particularly freedom of expression and the corollary rights to freedom of association and assembly.
PIRF February 2005 report
The period under review was dominated by debate on the extent to which Zimbabwe was complying with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Opposition political parties and civil society groups generally agreed that government had fundamentally failed to do so.
