United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has urged the government of Zimbabwe to ensure the protection of all fundamental human rights of citizens including freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of assembly.

This follows a global outcry by Zimbabweans using the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter for the world to speak about human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by state security agents.

In his daily update yesterday, Guterres said;

“The Secretary-General has been following with concern recent developments in Zimbabwe. He urges the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure the protection of all fundamental human rights, notably the freedom of opinion and expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, in accordance with Zimbabwe’s human rights obligations. He also calls on all political actors and civil society to resolve issues peacefully through inclusive dialogue.”