A/HRC/44/50/Add.2 of reprisals or unlawful restrictions on fundamental rights. He believes that such restrictions are counterproductive, divisive and undermine the confidence of communities in gaining access to information, participating in public discussions and in providing their free, prior and informed consent when the concessions for the exploitation of natural resource are put out to tender. 78. In order to reverse this situation, the Special Rapporteur believes that a first step is to carry out genuine consultations so that projects for the exploitation of natural resources align with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. 79. The Special Rapporteur strongly believes that protests related to the exploitation of natural resources should be seen as a call for the authorities to be more transparent and accountable and not as an attempt by communities to sabotage the economic growth of the country or to threaten its security. 80. Finally, the Special Rapporteur wishes to stress the need to compensate communities that have been relocated in order to exploit their land. In particular, he would like to refer to the Marange communities relocated in Arda Transau with whom he met and verified that many of their concerns, particularly in relation to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, have not been addressed by the Government. 5. The value of social movements 81. Inspired by their long legacy of activism, the Special Rapporteur acknowledges the emergence and value of spontaneous social movements, which have surged as an alternative means to expose long held grievances and the dissatisfaction of communities. 82. Recent examples include Occupy Africa Unity Square, ignited by the disappeared journalist Itai Dzamara, whose lone protest expanded into an influential movement; the National Vendors Union Zimbabwe, who supported workers from the informal sector in urban areas; Twitter-based #ThisFlag, rallying against poverty, injustice and corruption, which sought to break people’s fear of speaking out and had an enormous impact on creating activism within the diaspora; #Tajamuka/Sesjikile, which strongly opposed the Mugabe regime and led protests against corruption; and election-focused movements, such as #SheVotes2018 and the Young Voters Platform, which mobilized citizens to register and vote during the 2018 elections. 83. Common characteristics shared by these movements are their call for non-violent and peaceful protests, the preponderance of youth groups and students in their composition, their reliance on the use of the Internet and social media platforms to organize and disseminate information and their connection with other diaspora groups. 84. The Special Rapporteur learned that these movements have not been spared from government harassment and repressive tactics, which, in some cases, have resulted in their leaders stepping down because of concerns related to their safety. Equally worrying are the reports of Internet shutdowns and surveillance and intimidation of leading figures that affect not only their ability to operate, but also impinge on the exercise of fundamental freedoms. 85. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the work of social movements is essential in bringing together a broad base of support from different sectors of society. It can have a huge transformative effect on contributing towards the expansion of civic space in the country as long as the social movements work in an independent and non-partisan manner. IV. The exercise of the right to freedom of association A. Legal framework 86. The right to freedom of association is a constitutional right and, although different forms of association are legally recognized, the main not-for-profit organizations are private voluntary organizations, trusts and unincorporated associations. The primary framework governing private voluntary organizations is the Private Voluntary 12