The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has strongly condemned the forced evictions of families from their ancestral lands by both local and central government authorities. This comes as numerous communities across the country face potential displacement due to various development projects.
One such instance involves Gutu East villagers from five communities who are at risk of displacement to make way for a US$800 million lithium mining project. These villagers express deep concern over potential displacement and inadequate compensation.
ZLHR emphasizes that these evictions violate constitutional rights, citing instances where judicial officers have ordered villagers to vacate their long-held ancestral lands. The organization’s legal interventions, including appeals against these evictions, have led to High Court rulings that have protected the villagers’ rights.
The statement by ZLHR highlights the government’s disregard for constitutional provisions and its tendency to prioritize development projects over the rights of affected communities.
“In some instances, judicial officers have convicted the villagers and ordered them to move from their homesteads and land, which they have occupied for several years as it is their ancestral land.
“The intervention by ZLHR in representing the villagers and through filing appeals in court challenging their eviction as an infringement of their right to freedom from arbitrary eviction guaranteed in section 74 of the Constitution, has saved them as High Court Judges have set aside the evictions.
“The insensitive and callous eviction of people against clear Constitutional provisions that protect against arbitrary eviction stamps from both the local and central government’s intention to continue violating their constitutionally protected rights and commit rights abuse excesses with impunity,” ZLHR said.
The organization criticizes the lack of sensitivity and failure to adhere to legal procedures in carrying out these evictions.
ZLHR acknowledges the importance of addressing land issues, but it strongly opposes forced evictions that strip individuals, including women, people with disabilities, and children, of their fundamental rights. Such actions can lead to loss of livelihoods, property, and overall well-being, impacting various social, economic, and cultural aspects of life.
The organization calls upon the government to halt forced evictions, protect internally displaced persons, and take immediate steps to uphold constitutional rights and international human rights standards. ZLHR also urges the government to prioritize a fair and inclusive approach to development that centers the needs and rights of marginalized communities.
