Zimbabwe Backs Stronger Digital Protection During Wars

GENEVA, Switzerland: Zimbabwe has called for technological innovation to be used in support of humanitarian principles during armed conflict, stressing the need to protect civilian digital infrastructure, medical facilities and humanitarian operations from cyber threats.

The position was presented by Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, during Roundtable 3 of the Global IHL Dialogue on November 3. The session examined how emerging technologies can be designed and deployed in ways that preserve humanity and strengthen the protection of civilians.

Zimbabwe reiterated that the use of digital technologies must comply with international law, particularly the principles of humanity, distinction, proportionality and precaution.

In its intervention, the country cited the Cyber and Data Protection Act as a key part of its domestic framework for addressing digital security risks. The Act designates the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) as the Data Protection Authority under Section 5, while Section 12 provides safeguards for sensitive health information. Section 19 requires data security breaches to be reported within 24 hours, a provision Zimbabwe pointed to as part of its efforts to strengthen protection in the digital environment.

The country also referred to Section 8 of the Geneva Conventions Act, which provides legal safeguards against the misuse of protected humanitarian emblems.

Zimbabwe welcomed the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) proposed digital emblem initiative, noting the importance of strengthening domestic frameworks to shield civilian digital infrastructure, medical facilities and humanitarian operations from cyber threats.

The intervention comes amid growing international debate on the humanitarian implications of new technologies in warfare, including the vulnerability of interconnected networks, communications systems and essential services.

The Global IHL Dialogue, hosted by Switzerland and the ICRC in Geneva on November 3 and 4, explored practical measures for implementing the outcomes of seven workstreams under the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law.

Zimbabwe said it is ready to work with the ICRC and international partners to strengthen cybersecurity capacity and promote respect for International Humanitarian Law in the digital domain.