The NetRights Coalition, a Pan-African alliance of Internet freedom advocates, has strongly condemned the recent raid on the digital technologies of 41 Civil Society actors associated with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN). The shocking incident unfolded on August 23rd, 2023, as Zimbabwean citizens participated in crucial presidential, parliamentary, and local elections.
The targeted raid, orchestrated by Zimbabwean authorities, seized a total of 93 smartphones, 38 laptops, two smartwatches, two modems, one Wi-Fi router, one external drive, and various other digital devices from the Civil Society actors. This audacious move sent shockwaves through the digital rights community, with the NetRights Coalition expressing deep concern over the implications for digital democratic practices, free expression, and privacy rights, particularly during a critical electoral period.
In a joint statement, the ERC and ZESN emphasized that the raid not only threatens the safety of their members, observers, volunteers, and partners but also infringes upon individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The violated rights are enshrined in both the Zimbabwean Constitution and international human rights treaties.
The NetRights Coalition has called upon the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately return the seized digital technologies to their rightful owners. Additionally, the coalition has demanded that the government uphold its constitutional obligations to protect freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Section 61 of the Constitution.
Citing Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the NetRights Coalition urged Zimbabwe to honor its commitment to international human rights norms by ensuring the right to freedom of opinion and expression, regardless of media or geographic boundaries.
The coalition’s final call resonated with urgency, urging the Zimbabwean government to hold those responsible for the raid accountable for their actions. As the NetRights Coalition advocates for Internet freedom and fights against digital rights violations across the African continent, this incident underscores the critical need to safeguard democratic principles, privacy, and the free flow of information.