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Zimbabwe: Violence reaches crisis levels; youths forcibly recruited

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:50:10 +0100

Amnesty International today warned that the violence in Zimbabwe is reaching crisis levels, and revealed that “war veterans” are forcibly recruiting local youths to attack perceived supporters of the opposition MDC (Movement for Democratic Change).

“Those who refuse to commit violence are assaulted and accused of being MDC supporters by the ‘war veterans’,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher.

Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that large numbers of ZANU-PF supporters and “war veterans” are assaulting perceived MDC supporters in Mberengwa district in Midlands province and Mazowe district in Mashonaland Central.

In Mberengwa, a large gang of ZANU-PF supporters -- most of them youths forcibly recruited by “war veterans” -- are going around attacking homes of people suspected of voting for the MDC in the 29 March 2008 elections. A similar gang was reported by an eyewitness in the Chiweshe area in Mazowe district.

Police appear to be unwilling to stop the violence, only acting to arrest MDC supporters suspected of carrying out attacks on perceived ZANU-PF supporters.

“We are particularly worried about people living in more remote rural areas, where violence is taking place away from the spotlight,” said Mawanza. “The situation for these victims of violence is dire. Humanitarian organisations and local non-governmental organisations are being targeted for helping victims, who are being blocked from receiving medical assistance.”

Victims of attacks in rural areas are walking long distances to escape the violence and increasingly seeking refuge in towns and cities.

Some schools in rural areas have been forced to close as teachers perceived to be supporters of the MDC flee from the state-sponsored violence.

Amnesty International fears for the safety of Tonderai Ndira, a supporter of the MDC who was reportedly abducted from his home in Mabvuku, a low income suburb of Harare on 14 May in the early hours of the morning. Reports indicate that nine armed men in plain clothes assaulted him before driving him away while he was still naked in a white Toyota truck. He has not been seen since.

Tonderai Ndira is one of the 32 MDC members who were tortured by state agents while in detention in 2007. He was detained for more than two months in Harare Central Remand Prison before the charges against him were dropped.

Amnesty International has also received a report of the alleged abduction of Sinoia Pfebve (79) and his wife Serena Pfebve (76) on 13 May by people believed to be “war veterans” in the Mukumbura area in Mt. Darwin district, Mashonaland Central province. They are believed to have been taken to Nyakatondo Primary School where the abductors are camped. The Pfebve family have political connections to the MDC: the couple’s son was an MDC candidate in the parliamentary election in 2000 and a by-election in 2001.

At least 22 people have been killed while over 900 have been treated for injuries sustained from the violence since the elections took place. Several hundreds have been hospitalised. Hundreds of families have been forced to flee their homes after they have been burnt by gangs of “war veterans” and ZANU-PF youths.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) reports that its observers have been attacked in Mt. Darwin in Mashonaland Central province. They had their homes vandalised and property looted. Six were hospitalised after sustaining serious injuries. Several families were forced to take shelter in surrounding hills and bushes.

Amnesty International today called on the Zimbabwean government to:

• Publicly denounce all acts of violence by ZANU-PF supporters, “war veterans” and soldiers, as well as by any other party, and work with other political parties to end political violence immediately.

• Ensure that police arrest all suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses, including those who are instigating the violence. Police should operate in a non-partisan manner in executing their duties.

• Ensure that access to humanitarian assistance, including medical care, shelter and food supplies, is not restricted.

• Immediately invite international human rights monitors to investigate the current human rights violations.

• Immediately set up an independent and impartial body to investigate all acts of political violence. The investigation’s findings should be made public. Suspected perpetrators should be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international standards of fairness and victims should be awarded full reparations in accordance with international standards.

Zimbabwe: Police raid office of election observers; staff in hiding

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:53:35 +0100

Amnesty International has just received information that at about 10 am (local time), five police officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) raided the offices of the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) in Harare.

“The actions taken by the police today are unacceptable,” said Amnesty International. “The Zimbabwean police must stop harassing political and human rights activists immediately and act to protect victims of post-election violence.”

The police had a search warrant signed by the officer in charge of CID Homicide authorizing them to search for “subversive material likely to cause the overthrow of a constitutionally-elected government”.

They are in the process of searching ZESN offices.

The police are now looking for Ms Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, National Director of the ZESN, and Mr Noel Kututwa, the organization’s chairperson.

Police are believed to have taken Tsungai Kokerai, the ZESN’s Programme Manager “to assist with investigations”. They have also removed some files.

This morning police also raided the offices of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Zimbabwe’s main opposition party. An estimated 375 people were reportedly arrested. Among them are people who had taken refugee at the MDC’s offices after having fled the on-going violence being perpetrated by ZANU-PF supporters and soldiers.

ZESN is a coalition of 38 organisations that was involved in observing the 29 March elections. ZESN deployed local observers during the elections.

Zimbabwe: No supply of arms until state sponsored violence ceases

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:27:10 +0100

All shipments of small arms, light weapons and ammunition ordered from China by the Zimbabwe Government must be halted as there is a real risk that it may lead to increased human rights violations in Zimbabwe, said Amnesty International.

“The international community must not supply small arms to Zimbabwe until state sponsored violence has ceased and the rule of law is re-established.”

Amnesty International extended its call to include a halt of sales to Zimbabwe of security equipment including tear gas, water canons and other anti-riot equipment which has been used in the past by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to suppress the right to peaceful protest. Since 2000, police have used excessive force against human rights defenders.

The organization has documented serious human rights violations committed by soldiers and police in Zimbabwe against opposition supporters after the elections held on 29 March 2008. These abuses assaults and torture by soldiers, police, so-called “war veterans” and supporters of the ruling party, ZANU-PF, against people who have been accused of not having voted “correctly.” Though some victims have reported these crimes to the police, no arrests have been reported and it appears that perpetrators continue to commit abuses with impunity.

Amnesty International welcomed the mobilization of civil society in South African and other southern African countries to stop the delivery of arms to Zimbabwe through legal and civil action taken in solidarity with victims of state sponsored violence in Zimbabwe. The organization welcomed the mobilization of the trade union movement which has appealed to its members not to offload the cargo if the ship docks at any African port.

“The mobilization of civil society has proved critical in view of the inaction of governments to put an end to arms trade to countries where there is a pattern of gross human rights violations,” said Amnesty International.

“All political leaders in southern African must urgently support the efforts of civil society and demand an end to state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe and the return of the rule of law.”

The An Yue Jiang Chinese cargo ship carrying arms supplies to Zimbabwe, highlights the absence of a global treaty to ensure proper regulation of the conventional arms trade. Following a vote of 153 states in favour to one against, Members States of the United Nations are considering the feasibility, scope and parameters for a global Arms Trade Treaty that would prevent the irresponsible trade in conventional arms, and Amnesty International and its partners are appealing for such a treaty to contain provisions to fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law.

Amnesty International called on all states to support the early establishment of a global Arms Trade Treaty that contains robust provisions to reflect states’ obligations under international law and ensure these are incorporated into national law.

Background
On 10 April 2008 the arms shipment arrived aboard a Chinese cargo ship – the MV “An Yue Jiang” - in Durban, South Africa. The ship’s owner was the parastatal Chinese Ocean Shipping Company and it was carrying cases of weaponry and ammunition in six containers. The shipper of the arms was Poly Technologies Inc of Beijing China, the delivery address on the shipping documents was the Zimbabwe Defence Force, Harare, and the point of origin on the cargo manifest is Beijing, China. The cargo in question consisted of 3080 cases of arms contained in six containers. The Arrival Notification described the contents as follows:

    7.62 x 54mm Ball - 1000 cases containing 1 million rounds
    7.62 x 39mm Ball - 1331 cases containing 2 million rounds
    RPC7, 40mm Rockets - 250 cases containing 1500 rounds
    60 mm mortar bombs - 227 cases containing 2703 rounds
    31mm mortar bombs - 176 cases containing 581 rounds
    31mm mortar tubes - 93 cases containing 31 items

Legal action to stop this Chinese arms consignment was taken on 18 April by concerned South Africans with the support of human rights legal organizations in a bid to constrain the authorities from allowing transhipment of the arms through South Africa to Zimbabwe. The application was brought in the Durban High Court on the grounds of South African national law, which prohibits arms transfers that may contribute “to internal repression or suppression of human rights and fundamental freedom” or “to governments that systematically violate or suppress human rights and fundamental freedoms”. An interim ruling was issued on 18 April to confine the arms to Durban harbour pending a final court hearing but the ship sailed away. Currently many governments, including in the SADC region, and organisations worldwide are appealing for the arms transfer to be prevented to Zimbabwe, but it is feared that the arms cargo may be delivered to Zimbabwe through another route.

Zimbabwe: No supply of arms until state sponsored violence ceases

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:53:41 +0100

“The international community must not supply small arms to Zimbabwe until state sponsored violence has ceased and the rule of law is re-established.”

Amnesty International extended its call to include a halt of sales to Zimbabwe of security equipment including tear gas, water canons and other anti-riot equipment which has been used in the past by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to suppress the right to peaceful protest. Since 2000, police have used excessive force against human rights defenders.

The organization has documented serious human rights violations committed by soldiers and police in Zimbabwe against opposition supporters after the elections held on 29 March 2008. These abuses assaults and torture by soldiers, police, so-called “war veterans” and supporters of the ruling party, ZANU-PF, against people who have been accused of not having voted “correctly.” Though some victims have reported these crimes to the police, no arrests have been reported and it appears that perpetrators continue to commit abuses with impunity.

Amnesty International welcomed the mobilization of civil society in South African and other southern African countries to stop the delivery of arms to Zimbabwe through legal and civil action taken in solidarity with victims of state sponsored violence in Zimbabwe. The organization welcomed the mobilization of the trade union movement which has appealed to its members not to offload the cargo if the ship docks at any African port.

“The mobilization of civil society has proved critical in view of the inaction of governments to put an end to arms trade to countries where there is a pattern of gross human rights violations,” said Amnesty International.

“All political leaders in southern African must urgently support the efforts of civil society and demand an end to state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe and the return of the rule of law.”

The An Yue Jiang Chinese cargo ship carrying arms supplies to Zimbabwe, highlights the absence of a global treaty to ensure proper regulation of the conventional arms trade. Following a vote of 153 states in favour to one against, Members States of the United Nations are considering the feasibility, scope and parameters for a global Arms Trade Treaty that would prevent the irresponsible trade in conventional arms, and Amnesty International and its partners are appealing for such a treaty to contain provisions to fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law.

Amnesty International called on all states to support the early establishment of a global Arms Trade Treaty that contains robust provisions to reflect states’ obligations under international law and ensure these are incorporated into national law.

Background
On 10 April 2008 the arms shipment arrived aboard a Chinese cargo ship – the MV “An Yue Jiang” - in Durban, South Africa. The ship’s owner was the parastatal Chinese Ocean Shipping Company and it was carrying cases of weaponry and ammunition in six containers. The shipper of the arms was Poly Technologies Inc of Beijing China, the delivery address on the shipping documents was the Zimbabwe Defence Force, Harare, and the point of origin on the cargo manifest is Beijing, China. The cargo in question consisted of 3080 cases of arms contained in six containers. The Arrival Notification described the contents as follows:

   7.62 x 54mm Ball - 1000 cases containing 1 million rounds
   7.62 x 39mm Ball - 1331 cases containing 2 million rounds
   RPC7, 40mm Rockets - 250 cases containing 1500 rounds
   60 mm mortar bombs - 227 cases containing 2703 rounds
   31mm mortar bombs - 176 cases containing 581 rounds
    31mm mortar tubes - 93 cases containing 31 items

Legal action to stop this Chinese arms consignment was taken on 18 April by concerned South Africans with the support of human rights legal organizations in a bid to constrain the authorities from allowing transhipment of the arms through South Africa to Zimbabwe. The application was brought in the Durban High Court on the grounds of South African national law, which prohibits arms transfers that may contribute “to internal repression or suppression of human rights and fundamental freedom” or “to governments that systematically violate or suppress human rights and fundamental freedoms”. An interim ruling was issued on 18 April to confine the arms to Durban harbour pending a final court hearing but the ship sailed away. Currently many governments, including in the SADC region, and organisations worldwide are appealing for the arms transfer to be prevented to Zimbabwe, but it is feared that the arms cargo may be delivered to Zimbabwe through another route.

Post-election violence increases in Zimbabwe

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:07:29 +0100

Zimbabweans had little to celebrate on Friday 18 April, the 28th anniversary of their country's independence. Since the country went to the polls on 29 March 2008, nearly three weeks ago, the results of the presidential vote have still not been announced and violent attacks on opposition supporters are increasing in number.

Amnesty International has received confirmed reports of one death and over 240 people injured as a result of state-sponsored human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Of those 240 people, 18 are currently in hospital with severe injuries.

The number of casualties has risen sharply since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called a general strike on Tuesday 15 April. Forty-two recorded cases were treated by doctors on 17 April alone.

At least 150 people have been arrested since 14 April and on the morning of 18 April were detained in Harare Central police station alone.

Violence appears to be targeted at active supporters of the MDC and their families, particularly those in rural areas and low income suburbs where the MDC appears to have gained more votes than the ruling the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. Mashonaland East and West provinces have been particularly badly affected and numbers of reported incidents of violence are on the increase in Harare.

Victims report receiving death threats unless they vote "correctly" in a second round of voting should it be found that there was no outright winner of the presidential vote.

Many of the casualties have seen their homes, food reserves and livestock destroyed and are now displaced. Hundreds of homesteads are reported to have been burnt in Manicaland and Mashonaland East.

Perpetrators of the violence include so-called “war veterans” and supporters of the ruling party, as well as police officers and soldiers. State actors are accused of working hand-in-hand with ZANU-PF supporters. Individuals have been abducted from their homes by members of the military, in uniform and in plain clothes, as well as by ZANU-PF supporters.

An MDC activist in Mashonaland West province was stabbed to death on 13 April by ZANU-PF supporters outside his house, according to local reports. His brother, a 58-year-old man, also an MDC member from Mashonaland West, reported that three groups of about 60 ZANU-PF supporters came to the MDC activist’s house and started throwing stones asking him to come out because they wanted to "sort him out".

Though nine other MDC members also gathered at his house and retaliated by throwing back the stones, they were out-numbered by the ZANU-PF supporters. The ZANU-PF supporters managed to reach his house and abduct his brother, the MDC activist.

The MDC activist was stabbed twice with a knife in the stomach and died at the scene. The brother of the deceased also suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalised. The case was reported to the police who are reported to have said they were too afraid to intervene.
A 21-year-old woman in Harare, an MDC activist, was woken up during the night on 30 March 2008 by ZANU-PF supporters after she had been celebrating the victory of MDC councillors in the election. The ZANU-PF supporters took her from her house and assaulted her with clenched fists and sjamboks [whips].
A 30-year-old man from Mashonaland East province reported that, on 9 April, a group of "war veterans" burnt down three houses at about 11pm. The inhabitants had previously received a tip-off that this would happen and had fled to the bush.
On another occasion, nine people from a residential area in Harare were detained, while they were attending a funeral, by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit and other people suspected to be members of the Zimbabwe National Army who were dressed in plain clothes.
On 16 April, 22 people were abducted by soldiers and ZANU-PF supporters from their homes in a high density suburb outside Harare city centre during the early hours of the morning. Some of the people were assaulted with booted feet and slapped all over the body.

In some cases, doors were forced open to enable ZANU-PF supporters and members of the army to gain entry into the homes of the victims. Victims were not informed of the charges levelled against them either as they were arrested or after they had been taken to police stations.

In a statement published in newspapers in approximately seven Southern African countries on and around Zimbabwe’s Independence Day, Amnesty International’s Secretary General appeals to President Robert Mugabe in his capacity as head of state and as leader of the ruling ZANU-PF party to denounce and bring to an end all human rights abuses, including violent attacks by soldiers, police, “war veterans” and ZANU-PF supporters.

Irene Khan also appeals to the Commissioner-General of Police and the Zimbabwe National Army Commander as well as the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.

She urges Southern African leaders to redouble their diplomatic efforts to avoid further deterioration of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and to acknowledge publicly and express concern at the human rights abuses being perpetrated by members of state security organizations, “war veterans”, and ZANU-PF supporters.

Zimbabwe opposition under attack

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:07:59 +0100

Opposition parties in Zimbabwe have complained of violence against people perceived to be their supporters. There have been allegations of police and army involvement in some of the incidents in the post-election period.

Amnesty International has received information about widespread incidents of post-election violence, suggesting the existence of coordinated retribution against known and suspected opposition supporters. Violence has been reported in Harare, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Manicaland provinces.

According to the reports, victims of political violence have been pulled from buses and assaulted at their homes in rural areas, townships and farms.

In Gweru, on or around Sunday, 6 April, soldiers were reported to have assaulted people in a bar at Mkoba 6 shopping centre. Victims told local human rights groups that the soldiers were accusing them of “not voting correctly”.

On and around Monday 7 April, soldiers also assaulted shoppers at Mkoba 14 shopping centre in Gweru. The soldiers were reported to be wearing anti-riot gear and assaulted people with sticks.

At around midnight on Sunday, about 10 soldiers and two people dressed in police uniform, went to the home of a known Movement for Democratic Change activist, in Mkoba 14 in Gweru and assaulted him and two of his friends. They were assaulted with baton sticks and kicked. The activist sustained injuries and required medical treatment. The matter was reported to the police, yet no-one has so far been arrested.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Amnesty International welcomed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) announcement of an emergency meeting to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis to be held on 12 April in Lusaka. The organisation called on the SADC leaders to redouble their diplomatic efforts to avoid further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.

“SADC leaders should come out and publicly acknowledge the human rights violations being perpetrated by security organisations, war veterans, and supporters of political parties – and insist on an end to the political violence,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher.

“SADC should also publicly acknowledge that one of the causes of the increasing tension in Zimbabwe is the delayed release of the presidential election results. They must urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to immediately release the results.

“Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate outside the African Union and United Nations human rights frameworks for too long – reinforcing a culture of impunity in the country.”

Zimbabwe: Amnesty International calls for an immediate end to political violence; says attacks appear to be coordinated

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:34:25 +0100

As leaders of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) states prepare for an emergency meeting regarding the ongoing political crisis in Zimbabwe, Amnesty International today expressed serious concern at reports of post-election violence targeting perceived supporters of opposition parties in Zimbabwe.

The organisation called on the police to end political violence and investigate any allegations of police and army involvement in some of the incidents.

According to information received by Amnesty International, incidents of post-election violence are widespread -- suggesting the existence of coordinated retribution against known and suspected opposition supporters.

Violence has been reported in Harare, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Manicaland provinces.

Victims of political violence have reportedly been pulled from buses and assaulted at their homes in rural areas, townships and farms.

In Gweru, on or around 6 April, soldiers reportedly assaulted people in a bar at Mkoba 6 shopping centre. Victims told local human rights groups that the soldiers were accusing them of “not voting correctly.”

On and around 7 April, soldiers assaulted shoppers at Mkoba 14 shopping centre in Gweru. The soldiers were reportedly in anti-riot gear and assaulted people with sticks.

At around midnight on 6 April, about 10 soldiers and two people dressed in police uniform arrived at the home of a known Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist in Mkoba 14 in Gweru. They assaulted the activist and two of his friends by kicking them and hitting them with baton sticks. The activist sustained injuries requiring medical treatment. Although the matter was reported to the police, no-one has been arrested.

Amnesty International welcomed the SADC announcement of an emergency meeting to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis on 12 April in Lusaka. The organisation called on SADC leaders to redouble diplomatic efforts to avoid further deterioration of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

“SADC leaders should come out and publicly acknowledge the human rights violations being perpetrated by security organisations, war veterans, and supporters of political parties -- and insist on an end to the political violence,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher.

“SADC should also publicly acknowledge that one of the causes of the increasing tension in Zimbabwe is the delayed release of the presidential election results. They must urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to immediately release the results.”

“Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate outside the African Union and United Nations human rights frameworks for too long -- reinforcing a culture of impunity in the country,” said Mawanza.

Zimbabwe: Police urged to remain non-partisan

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:48:11 +0100

On 29 March 2008, Zimbabweans took part in a general election to elect members of the parliament, local councillors and a president. According to results released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the main opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, won 99 seats.

The ruling Zimbabwe African national Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU_PF) won 97 seats. The faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara won 10 seats and one seat was won by an independent candidate.

While the situation remains generally calm with all political parties exercising restraint, people are anxious and concerned about delays by the ZEC to release the presidential election results.

In this highly sensitive environment Amnesty International is urging the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure that officers under his command continue to operate in a non-partisan manner and observe the rights of all.

The Electoral Act stipulates that if none of the presidential candidates gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, a second round has to be held between the two candidates with the most votes within 21 days.

In the event that the presidential election goes into a run-off, Amnesty International calls on the government of Zimbabwe to fully respect the rights to peaceful assembly and association of all political parties and candidates.

The government of Zimbabwe must ensure that police officers act with restraint when policing peaceful demonstrations. People who are arrested and detained should be accorded all of their rights while they are in police custody. Detainees must be allowed access to lawyers, food, water and medical care.

Zimbabwe: Harassment and intimidation as election looms

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:51:05 +0000

As Zimbabweans prepare to vote in national elections on 29 March, Amnesty International today warned that the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly are being unnecessarily restricted in advance of the poll date.

“Although opposition parties appear to be enjoying a greater degree of access to previously ‘no go areas’ in rural areas compared with previous elections, we continue to receive reports of intimidation, harassment and violence against perceived supporters of opposition candidates – with many in rural regions fearful that there will be retribution after the elections,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher who recently returned from Zimbabwe.

On 7 March, three members of the Morgan Tsvangirai-led faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were putting up election posters in Bulawayo when they were ordered by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to pull them down. The CIO operatives forced a male member of the group to chew the posters and swallow them. A female member of the group was then forced to chew and swallow three-quarters of a poster. The three were allowed to go when the CIO operatives had to go to a political rally.

“Police in some parts of the country are clearly putting unnecessary restrictions on the activities of the opposition party members, while allowing supporters of the ruling party total enjoyment of their rights,” said Mawanza.

On or around 10 March, in Plumtree, five people operating a public address system at a rally addressed by Dr. Simba Makoni, an independent presidential candidate, were briefly detained at Plumtree police station. They were released without charge after the intervention of the candidate.

Amnesty International said that food is still being used as a political tool by ruling party functionaries in many rural areas. Perceived supporters of opposition candidates and political parties continue to be discriminated against, mostly in accessing the cheaper maize sold by the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which manages the country’s strategic grain reserves.

Last month, an MDC (Tsvangirai faction) councillor in Lupane district was allegedly prevented by a senior ruling party official and war veterans from collecting 235 bags of maize that had been bought by his community from the GMB. The senior ruling party official reportedly told GMB officials that “GMB maize is not supposed to be distributed to MDC supporters.”

Although the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) were amended in January 2008, ostensibly to protect the rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression, restrictions still exist. Police also appear to be applying provisions of the old POSA.

“Application of the POSA is motivated by a desire to frustrate the activities of perceived political opponents,” said Mawanza. “Civil society organisations are operating under constant surveillance by state security organisations -- including the police. Surveillance tactics include intelligence operatives sitting in meetings and visiting offices to question staff and guests of the organisations. This type of harassment and intimidation has made the work of human rights organisations extremely difficult at the moment.”

On 21 March eight members of the activist organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were briefly held by police in Bulawayo’s suburb of Pumula while putting up posters encouraging people to go and vote. The eight women were taken to Pumula police station, where they were questioned for about 30 minutes and then released without charge.

Civil society organisations and opposition parties and candidates also face difficulties in accessing state-controlled radio and television stations. There are currently no privately-owned daily newspapers in Zimbabwe, and no private radio station has been granted a license.

Amnesty International urged Zimbabwean police to respect the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly of all candidates and civil society organisations going about their legitimate work during and after the election period.

“The police should ensure that all Zimbabweans are allowed to engage in peaceful protest before and during the elections, and must desist from using excessive force, torture or other inhuman and degrading treatment,” said Mawanza.

“The police should also investigate all reports of violence and intimidation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Amnesty International also called on the heads of security organisations to desist from making comments that can fuel election violence.

Recent statements by some security chiefs including the commissioner-general of police, the head of the prison services and army commander that they would not recognise an opposition candidate winning the election has increased the population’s anxiety.

“Security chiefs should all operate in a non-partisan manner and protect the rights of all citizens,” said Mawanza. “The conduct of the state security organisations -- irrespective of the outcome of the election -- will be crucial in safeguarding the rights of all Zimbabweans in the post-election period.”

Zimbabwe opposition suffer pre-election harassment

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:21:24 +0000

Opposition groups in Zimbabwe are suffering harassment, intimidation and discrimination in the run-up to national elections on 29 March.

Police in some parts of the country are clearly restricting the activities of opposition party members, while supporters of the ruling party enjoy total rights. Amnesty International has warned that the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly are being unnecessarily restricted in advance of the poll date.

“Although opposition parties appear to be enjoying a greater degree of access to previously ‘no go areas’ in rural areas compared with previous elections, we continue to receive reports of intimidation, harassment and violence against perceived supporters of opposition candidates – with many in rural regions fearful that there will be retribution after the elections,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher.

Three members of the Morgan Tsvangirai-led faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were ordered to pull down election posters by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) on 7 March. The CIO operatives forced one member of the group to chew the posters and swallow them. A female member of the group was then forced to chew and swallow three-quarters of a poster.

Activists have also suffered harassment in the run-up to the vote. Eight members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were briefly held by police for putting up posters encouraging people to vote. Dr. Simba Makoni, an independent presidential candidate, had to intervene when five people operating a public address system at one of his rallies were detained.

Food is still being used as a political tool by the ruling party in many rural areas, with perceived opposition supporters denied access to cheap maize. Last month, an MDC councillor in Lupane district was prevented from collecting 235 bags of maize that had been bought by his community from the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB). A senior ruling party official was reported to have claimed that “GMB maize is not supposed to be distributed to MDC supporters.”

Amnesty International has urged Zimbabwean police to respect the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly of all candidates and civil society organisations.

“The police should ensure that all Zimbabweans are allowed to engage in peaceful protest before and during the elections, and must desist from using excessive force, torture or other inhuman and degrading treatment,” said Mawanza.

Amnesty International is also concerned at recent statements by leading security figures that they would not recognise an opposition candidate winning the election.

“Security chiefs should operate in a non-partisan manner and protect the rights of all citizens,” said Mawanza. “The conduct of the state security organisations -- irrespective of the outcome of the election -- will be crucial in safeguarding the rights of all Zimbabweans in the post-election period.”