Overview

A bill that threatened the existence and work of civil society organizations remained before parliament. There was an increase in violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, particularly before the Southern African Development Community summit when the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions escalated. The economy continued to deteriorate in the context of an El Niño-induced drought, and 7.6 million people faced food insecurity. Authorities facilitated treatment for women with obstetric fistula. Legislation outlawing the practice of early and child marriage was enacted. A bill to abolish the death penalty was passed into law.