Violence in Post-Election Zimbabwe

Open Society recently hosted a panel discussion on the post-election climate in Zimbabwe. Speakers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the International Crisis Group discussed the current political and human rights situation on the ground, looked at potential outcome scenarios, and made recommendations regarding the various policy options available to resolve the crisis.

The panelists discussed reports of violence on the ground—including reprisals on opposition party supporters—but noted that the recent crackdown on researchers and reporters in the country has made it difficult to verify the level or extent of the current violence. Fearing that the situation could quickly deteriorate, the speakers called for advocacy efforts focused on Zimbabwe’s regional neighbors, the African Union, and the UN Security Council.

Listen to the event above.