The Government of Zimbabwe has responded to allegations of human rights abuses by accusing United Nations consultants of interfering within the nation’s home affairs.

The allegations, made by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor, relate to the latest enforced disappearance, torture, and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, and Samuel Gwenzi.

In a response dated September 9, 2024, the Zimbabwean authorities expressed concern over the rising tendency of UN particular mandate holders to behave as “courts of first instance,” probably undermining native authorized cures.

The authorities cited the precept of subsidiarity, permitting nationwide authorized programs to operate successfully as the first avenue for justice.

The authorities additionally famous a “disturbing pattern” by non-state actors to trigger anarchy, significantly forward of main worldwide occasions, to discredit the federal government.

Zimbabwe claimed that these actions present unverified info used as the idea for allegations of human rights violations.

“The Government of Zimbabwe acknowledges the essential function that particular mandate holders on the Human Rights Council play in selling and defending human rights globally.

“However, Government notes, with concern, the rising tendency by a few of these particular mandate holders to behave as courts of first occasion, probably undermining the native authorized cures accessible to residents inside their very own nations.

“Accordingly, the actions of particular mandate holders, should be aligned with the precept of subsidiarity, permitting nationwide authorized programs to operate successfully as the first avenue for justice.

“Government has additionally famous the disturbing sample by some non-state actors to intentionally and mischievously trigger anarchy significantly, forward of main worldwide occasions, so as to discredit the Government.

“These unlawful actions, have become sources of unverified information which, unfortunately, are authoritatively used as the basis of allegations of human rights violations against Zimbabwe,” Harare mentioned in response.

The allegations in query relate to the July 31, 2024, arrest and detention of Kwekweza, Chere, and Gwenzi. The UN consultants expressed concern over stories of enforced disappearance, torture, and arbitrary detention.

The Zimbabwean authorities, nevertheless, supplied a distinct account of occasions, stating that the trio was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for disrupting court docket proceedings on June 27, 2024.

The authorities claimed that the trio was afforded their rights, together with entry to authorized illustration and look earlier than the courts throughout the prescribed time interval.

Kwekweza, Chere, and Gwenzi have been granted bail on September 4, 2024, and launched. Their trial on costs of disorderly conduct is ongoing on the Harare Magistrates Court.

Chere has, nevertheless, rubbished the federal government’s response to the UN Special Rapporteur, saying, “It’s very sad that the Zim State fails to acknowledge the blatant mistakes of violating our rights. However, we remain resolute in fighting for humanity. Charges must be dropped.”