01 Apr Ongoing Restrictions of Assembly and Association in Zimbabwe

The right to freedom of assembly and association is a cornerstone of any democratic society, enabling citizens to organise, express their views, and participate meaningfully in governance. In Zimbabwe, however, these rights, while firmly protected under the Constitution, continue to face significant and systematic restrictions in practice.

Recent findings from the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) highlight a troubling pattern. In February 2026 alone, 104 human rights violations affecting over 3,200 victims were recorded, with 23 directly linked to the suppression of assembly and association rights. These violations occurred during a critical period of public engagement around the Constitution Amendment Bill (No. 3), a process that should have encouraged open debate and citizen participation. Instead, it exposed the widening gap between constitutional guarantees and lived realities.

Legal frameworks such as the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), originally intended to regulate public gatherings, have increasingly been used to restrict them. Requirements like prior notification have effectively become tools for authorisation, allowing authorities broad discretion to block or control assemblies. Even when organisers comply with the law, events are frequently disrupted or prohibited, demonstrating how legal provisions are applied in a selective and often arbitrary manner.

Beyond legal restrictions, the suppression extends into intimidation and coercion. Civic actors, opposition supporters, journalists, and ordinary citizens face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and threats when attempting to organise or participate in public gatherings. Youth-led initiatives and community dialogues have been particularly targeted, while in rural areas, traditional leaders and political structures have been implicated in coercing citizens into attending partisan meetings or silencing dissent.

These patterns are not isolated. They reflect a broader and sustained contraction of civic space, where exercising fundamental freedoms often triggers further human rights violations, including violence and social exclusion. The cumulative effect is a climate of fear that discourages participation, weakens democratic accountability, and erodes public trust.

Importantly, Zimbabwe’s situation mirrors concerns raised by international observers, including the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association, who noted that while the country’s Constitution is progressive, its implementation remains deeply flawed.

Addressing these challenges requires urgent and comprehensive reforms. Aligning laws like MOPA with constitutional and international standards, ensuring equal application of the law, strengthening accountability for security forces, and protecting civic actors are critical steps. Equally important is fostering an environment where citizens can engage freely, without fear, in national processes such as constitutional reform.

Ultimately, safeguarding the freedoms of assembly and association is not just about protecting individual rights; it is about preserving the very foundation of democratic governance in Zimbabwe.

You can read our full report here: