The 2017 military coup in Zimbabwe: Implications for human rights and the rule of law

November 2017 saw the Zimbabwean Defence Forces executing a military coup against Mr Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's long-serving President. The sought to justify on basis that there were divisions in party government - ZANU-PF and it was stepping protect what called gains of liberation struggle. demanded, among other things, reinstatement those members who had been removed from their positions. By brazenly involving itself politics, let alone aligning with political party, violated number constitutional provisions prohibit involvement security services politics. Several individual freedoms liberties, including right liberty, freedom expression, movement torture, during coup. There are also allegations loss life directly linked In effecting coup, immobilised police service arrogated role civilian policing, setting up roadblocks major roads arresting detaining identified as 'criminal elements'. have long history serious human rights violations, politically-related torture murder. They stand accused chronic unleashing violence elections behalf ZANU-PF. Therefore, is no hope protection promotion will be agenda post-coup consisting main leaders most ministers served repressive Mugabe government. need establish mechanisms ensure responsible for its attendant violations crimes brought account.