Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	Zimbabwe first highlights the right of association in section 21. Protection of freedom of assembly and association of the 1980 constitution after independence from the United Kingdom. Zimbabwe. 1980. “CONSTITUTION of ZIMBABWE.” AceProject. 1980. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/Constitution%20of%20Zimbabwe%201980.pdf.
Freedom of Expression	History	Zimbabwe’s constitution of 1980 is the first document in the country’s history to protect freedom of expression. Section 20 goes into specific detail about this right, and codifies some exceptions related to public interests and protections. “Zimbabwe Constitution 1980 up to 17th Amendment.” Zimbabwe Legal Resources Website. Accessed June 27, 2023. https://www.law.co.zw/download/zimbabwe-constitution-1980-up-to-17th-amendment/
Freedom of Religion	History	In the 1964 Constitution of Rhodesia, freedom of religion is asserted in Part 2, Chapter VII, Article 72. When Zimbabwe became an independent state in 1980, The Constitution asserted religious freedom Under Chapter III, Article 19. The current Constitution of Zimbabwe was ratified on 16 March 2013. Articles 5(ciii), 56.3, and 60 grant religious freedoms, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. World Statesman. Constitution of Rhodesia. 1965. https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Rhodesia_1965.pdf Refworld. Constitution of Zimbabwe. 1980. https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b5720.html Parliament of Zimbabwe . “Constitution of Zimbabwe.” Last modified August 9, 2021. Accessed July 6, 2022. https://parlzim.gov.zw/download/constitution-of-zimbabwe-amendment-no-20-14-05-2013/.
Freedom of the Press	History	Article 20 of Zimbabwe’s 1980 Constitution first protected press freedom under freedom of expression: “Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence" (Refworld, "Constitution of Zimbabwe, 1980" ). Today, Article 61 of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution protects press freedom: “Every person is entitled to freedom of the media, which freedom includes protection of the confidentiality of journalists' sources of information…Broadcasting and other electronic media of communication have freedom of establishment" (Constitute Project, “Zimbabwe's Constitution of 2013” ).
Privacy Rights	History	The 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution grants “[e]very person has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have: (a) their home, premises or property entered without their permission; (b) their person, home, premises or property searched; (c) their possessions seized; (d) the privacy of their communications infringed; or (e) their health condition disclosed” in Section 57 (Privacy International, “The Right to Privacy in Zimbabwe: Stakeholder Report, Universal Periodic Review,” 4). Before this, the 2007 Interception of Communications Act allowed for public information to be intercepted by authorities, something that has not been rectified since the implementation of the new constitution. https://hrp.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/ 2016/ 04/zimbabwe_upr 2016. pdf
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	According to ZImbabwe’s Constitution, Chapter 7, Elections, Part one, Electoral Systems and Processes, Number 155, Principles of the Electoral System, elections must be held regularly and referendums to which the Constitution applies must be peaceful, free, conducted by a secret ballot and based on universal suffrage and equality (Constitute Project, “Zimbabwe's Constitution of 2013” ).