Zimbabwe - June 2025

In a judgement delivered on 11 June, Zimbabwe’s High Court struck down a key section of The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, commonly known as the Patriot Act, declaring it to be unconstitutional. The offending section criminalised participation in meetings discussing or planning sanctions or boycotts against Zimbabwe and imposed highly punitive penalties, including the revocation of citizenship and deprivation of the rights to vote and run for office. The court ruled that the severity of these penalties and the vagueness of the section’s language meant it violated the constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and political participation. However, the court upheld another provision criminalising participation in meetings concerning foreign-led efforts to overthrow Zimbabwe’s government. The case was brought by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and journalist Zenzele Ndebele.        

Sources: High Court of Zimbabwe,  The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Bulawayo 24, International IDEA