Editing Politics of Zimbabwe (section)

==Political conditions==
Since the defeat of the constitutional [[referendum]] in 2000, politics in Zimbabwe has been marked by a move from the norms of [[democratic governance]], such as democratic elections, the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, freedom from racial discrimination, the existence of independent media, civil society and academia.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Miller |first1=Laurel E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXQ6Od8xVMsC&q=Since%202000,%20state-sponsored%20intimidation,%20arbitrary%20arrest |title=Framing the State in Times of Transition: Case Studies in Constitution Making |last2=Aucoin |first2=Louis |date=2010 |publisher=US Institute of Peace Press |isbn=978-1-60127-055-9 |language=en}}</ref> Recent years have seen widespread violations of [[human rights in Zimbabwe|human rights]].

Elections have been marked by political violence and intimidation, along with the politicisation of the judiciary, [[Zimbabwe National Army|military]], [[Zimbabwe Republic Police|police force]] and public services.<ref>[http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr92.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322140727/http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr92.html|date=March 22, 2006}}</ref> Statements by the President and government politicians have referred to a state of war, or ''[[Chimurenga]]'', against the opposition political parties, in particular the [[Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai]] (MDC-T). Newspapers not aligned with the government have been closed down and members of the judiciary have been threatened and/or arrested. Repressive laws aimed at preventing freedoms of speech, assembly and association have been implemented and subjectively enforced. Members of the opposition are routinely arrested and harassed, with some subjected to torture or sentenced to jail. The legal system has come under increasing threat. The MDC has repeatedly attempted to use the legal system to challenge the ruling ZANU-PF, but the rulings, often in favour of the MDC, have not been taken into account by the police.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kwashirai |first=Vimbai Chaumba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVyvEAAAQBAJ&dq=MDC+ZANU-PF+rulings+police&pg=PA170 |title=Election Violence in Zimbabwe: Human Rights, Politics and Power |date=2023-03-02 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-12085-2 |language=en}}</ref>