NEW YORK (November 15, 2017) — Amid what appears to be a bloodless military coup d’état against Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) urges the Zimbabwe Defense Forces to refrain from violence and to hold free and fair elections that comply with international standards, which would include allowing full participation by opposition groups and international election monitors. If the Zimbabwean military is now in control of the country’s government, it should immediately oversee the creation of an inclusive transitional governing body. This body should then call for elections within six months and hold them no later than 12 to 18 months from the moment the dictator is deposed.
“Zimbabwe has not had free and fair elections for decades. Mugabe’s 37-year rule has eliminated true electoral competition by shuttering opposition parties and independent media outlets, arresting journalists, and banning protests and demonstrations,” said HRF president Thor Halvorssen. “Today, Zimbabwe’s de facto rulers have the opportunity to be on the right side of history. They can choose to go down a violent path and enthrone themselves as new dictators, or they can choose to facilitate a transition to democracy by refraining from violence, creating a broad interim governing coalition, and calling for free and fair elections in the short term.” --
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