Analyisis of the role played by non-governmental organisations in their fight for peace and social justice: human rights: the case of Zimbabwe lawyers for human rights: from 2000 - to 2020.

Abstract

The research topic came after the realisation that, human rights problems have been experienced in Zimbabwe since the period before its political independence in 1980. In order to carry out the intended purpose the research objectives and research questions were outlined to guide the research on the topic, ‘Analysis of the role played by NGOs in their fight for human rights: The case of ZLHR from 2000 to 2020. Relevant literature was used to explore views of other scholars in relation to human rights protection systems and mechanisms in Zimbabwe. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used in the research. These include questionnaires, interviews, field observations, desktop research and other methods. From the targeted 42 respondents, 100% of the target population was reached and responded to the questionnaires and interviews. The findings of the study revealed that human rights violations in Zimbabwe are mainly associated with poor national programs and major national issues such as elections or during demonstrations. When political contestations take place those in authority often use violent means to suppress perceived opponents. Impunity has allowed human rights violations to persist. On the socio economic front, lack of adequate budgetary support from the government to support education, health, water and sanitation, shelter and environment has led to serious challenges in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. Government programs such as Operation Murambatsvina caused serious rights violation to the right for to shelter. This study revealed that a lot of challenges are militating against the full attainment of human rights in Zimbabwe. The same obstacles are also affecting ZLHR in its endeavour to promote human rights in Zimbabwe. Chief among which include lack of adequate budgetary support from the government, poor government programs, lack of political will to deal with human rights issues, existence of claw back clauses in the constitution of Zimbabwe, selective application of the law, attack on human rights defenders among others as revealed in the study below.