On 20 August 2019, Western countries expressed concern over Zimbabwe's brutal crackdown on protests against the country's economic situation.
The embassies of the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States issued a joint statement condemning the attacks on activists and the banning of protests.
According to the statement, intimidation, harassment, and physical attacks on human rights defenders and opposition politicians prior to, during, and following the demonstration in Harare on 16 August were 'cause for great concern.'
The heads of mission called on the authorities to respect the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression, as well as to peaceful protest.
They also urged all political party leaders and supporters to abstain from threats and incitement to violence, as well as acts of violence or vandalism.
The criticism came after police banned a protest by the opposition set for Tuesday in the central city of Gweru.
Opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had planned to call for protests across the country beginning last Friday in Harare.
