On June 17, 2025, 9 members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) were arrested in Mutare during a peaceful protest calling for improved salaries and working conditions. Among those detained was a nursing mother. ARTUZ condemned the arrests as unconstitutional, citing Zimbabwe’s legal protections.
Comment(s)/Recommendation(s)
The arrests of teachers for peaceful advocacy infringe on their right to organize and raise professional concerns, fundamental aspects of academic freedom. Such actions deter educators from participating in public discourse and erode democratic participation in education governance. The repression of union activity sends a chilling message to both teachers and students.
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