2024 Annual Report – Rising Still
2024 was a tough year for activists across the world.
At least 324 human rights defenders were killed, according to Front Line Defenders’ Global Analysis
report. These killings were documented across 32 different countries.
Back home, a survey administered to 67 civil society organisations (CSOs) by ZimRights and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, shows that in 2024 nearly all surveyed CSOs reported operating with severe restrictions. Out of the 34national-level organisations surveyed, 94% mentioned facing surveillance, infiltration, material destruction, and intimidation of staff and members.
Community-based organisations reported demands for bribes, intimidation by local gatekeepers,
and barriers to free community engagement. These are only some manifestations of the growing shrinking space for civil society in Zimbabwe, detailed in our report “We are coming after them: The
2024 State of Civic Space in Zimbabwe.”
And yet in the face of this adversity, our members across the country remained resolute in defending human rights in every way possible. Over 2000 new members joined ZimRights, over 100 action committees took action and over 30 human rights resources were produced. This Annual Report tells the story of resilience, bearing witness to the courage of communities in defending human rights. Attacked left right and centre, still they rise and keep fighting.
