Web pages about "Zimbabwe"

Solidarity with Zimbabwe ahead of SADC meeting

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:03:15 +0100

Nearly 80 organisations, including a number of Amnesty International's African sections, have come together to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. In a statement to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is meeting this weekend in South Africa, the organizations voiced their concern about the continuing violations of Zimbabweans' human rights.

In the statement, the organisations recognised that attempts are being made by Zimbabwean political parties, SADC, the African Union and the United Nations to address the political and economic situation.
However, the organizations, also including HURINET based in Uganda, the Southern Africa Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRiNGON) from Tanzania and the Legal Assistance Centre from Namibia pointed to violations that have persisted since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by political parties on 21 July. They highlighted the continuation of torture and other ill-treatment, and harassment and intimidation, of political and human rights activists.

"We are also concerned that important questions of justice and impunity were not explicitly tackled in the MoU, suggesting that these issues will not be dealt with in the talks between the political parties," the statement continues.

"We add our voices to the increasing number of civic and political leaders, activists and ordinary citizens in condemning the events in Zimbabwe which have brought untold suffering to its people. The ongoing political violence, suppression of fundamental human rights and the failure of governance which has directly contributed to the impoverishment of the people of Zimbabwe must be addressed now.

"The present government has brutally suppressed democratic dissent and persecuted political and human rights activists in callous disregard of the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights."

The letter calls on African leaders at all levels – pan-African, regional and national – and their institutions to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately end serious human rights violations in the country and publicly denounce and call for the cessation of all political violence.

Climate of fear in Zimbabwe persists despite deal

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:48:59 +0100

As the Zimbabwean government and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) prepare to enter power-sharing talks, Amnesty International called on both parties to ensure there are no pardons for those who committed human rights violations in the post-election period.

“There can be no lasting political solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe without addressing past human rights violations. While human rights violations must end immediately, investigations must be carried out and alleged perpetrators brought to justice,” said Amnesty International.

Amnesty International continues to receive reports of ongoing political violence and harassment, particularly in rural areas. Even since the signing of Monday’s ‘memorandum of understanding’ by the ruling party and opposition, victims of political violence have had to seek medical treatment for injuries sustained in attacks.

On 22 July, an MDC official from a rural constituency south of Harare who had been in hiding was allegedly attacked while he walked to work with a youth in the early hours of the morning. They were both abducted by suspected supporters of the ruling party and thoroughly beaten on the buttocks, arms, legs and feet. According to reports, their abductors said they had been looking for the MDC official, and that nowhere was safe. Both the MDC official and the youth had to seek medical treatment as a result of injuries sustained.

Though some bases from which ‘war veterans’ and other ZANU-PF supporters launched attacks against opposition supporters have been dismantled, some in rural areas including in Mashonaland West, Central and East provinces, still remain.

“The attacks that have killed as many as 150, injured thousands and displaced tens of thousands over the last several months -- and which continue to take place – must not be swept under the carpet in the interest of finding a short-term political solution,” said Amnesty International. “This would store up problems for further down the road.”

While attempts are being made by all Zimbabwean political parties -- and the Southern African Development Community, African Union and United Nations -- to address the political and economic crisis, Amnesty International said that important questions of justice and impunity were not explicitly tackled in the ‘memorandum of understanding’ signed on Monday.

“Any future deal between the parties should not include amnesties, pardons or any other measures that would prevent the emergence of the truth, a final judicial determination of guilt or non-guilt, and full reparations to victims and their families.”

In signing the memorandum, the ruling party and opposition committed themselves to condemning the promotion and use of violence and to taking all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in acts of violence.

Despite the latest political developments, Amnesty International remains concerned that Zimbabwe is still blanketed in a climate of fear. The government must put an immediate end to all acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrest and torture perpetrated state and non-state actors against human rights defenders and political activists, particularly in rural areas. All bases from which torture and ill-treatment is being carried out must be closed immediately and alleged perpetrators of human rights violations must be brought to justice.

Zimbabwe: Climate of fear persists despite deal; violence must not be pardoned

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:22:40 +0100

“There can be no lasting political solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe without addressing past human rights violations. While human rights violations must end immediately, investigations must be carried out and alleged perpetrators brought to justice,” said Amnesty International.

Amnesty International continues to receive reports of ongoing political violence and harassment, particularly in rural areas. Even since the signing of Monday’s ‘memorandum of understanding’ by the ruling party and opposition, victims of political violence have had to seek medical treatment for injuries sustained in attacks.

On 22 July, an MDC official from a rural constituency south of Harare who had been in hiding was allegedly attacked while he walked to work with a youth in the early hours of the morning. They were both abducted by suspected supporters of the ruling party and thoroughly beaten on the buttocks, arms, legs and feet. According to reports, their abductors said they had been looking for the MDC official, and that nowhere was safe. Both the MDC official and the youth had to seek medical treatment as a result of injuries sustained.

Though some bases from which ‘war veterans’ and other ZANU-PF supporters launched attacks against opposition supporters have been dismantled, some in rural areas including in Mashonaland West, Central and East provinces, still remain.

“The attacks that have killed as many as 150, injured thousands and displaced tens of thousands over the last several months -- and which continue to take place – must not be swept under the carpet in the interest of finding a short-term political solution,” said Amnesty International. “This would store up problems for further down the road.”

While attempts are being made by all Zimbabwean political parties -- and the Southern African Development Community, African Union and United Nations -- to address the political and economic crisis, Amnesty International said that important questions of justice and impunity were not explicitly tackled in the ‘memorandum of understanding’ signed on Monday.

“Any future deal between the parties should not include amnesties, pardons or any other measures that would prevent the emergence of the truth, a final judicial determination of guilt or non-guilt, and full reparations to victims and their families.”

In signing the memorandum, the ruling party and opposition committed themselves to condemning the promotion and use of violence and to taking all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in acts of violence.

Despite the latest political developments, Amnesty International remains concerned that Zimbabwe is still blanketed in a climate of fear. The government must put an immediate end to all acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrest and torture perpetrated state and non-state actors against human rights defenders and political activists, particularly in rural areas. All bases from which torture and ill-treatment is being carried out must be closed immediately and alleged perpetrators of human rights violations must be brought to justice.

Note to editors:
Protection of freedom expression, as well as freedom association and assembly is provided for under section 20 and 21 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe as state a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has an obligation to respect and protect these rights.

Zimbabwe: Pan-African Campaign of Solidarity for Zimbabwe

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:46:22 +0100

On Saturday 12 July 2008, following a call by CIVICUS: World Alliance For Citizen Participation, Amnesty International and the Global Call for Action Against Poverty (GCAP), citizens of Africa will unite to express their solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering persistent violations of their rights. Saturday represents the launch of a Pan-African Campaign of Solidarity for Zimbabwe, and will be followed by events continent-wide.

The widespread killings, torture and intimidation of the political opposition that characterised the presidential election run-off on June 27 cannot be condoned under any circumstances. “By flagrantly and consistently violating the values upon which present day Africa is premised, Mr Mugabe has done great disservice to the people of Zimbabwe and the continent. We believe it is the responsibility of all Africans to urgently put a stop to Mr Mugabe’s anti-democratic activities” said Kumi Naidoo Honorary President of CIVICUS.

“The widespread killings, torture and assault of perceived opposition supporters must come to an end in Zimbabwe. Concrete action is long overdue and African leaders must end their silent acquiescence,” said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

In this hour of crisis, the people of Africa stand together with the people of Zimbabwe. “We urge African leaders to call for space to be opened up so that civil society can play a role in tackling Zimbabwe’s current crisis – we are needed now more than ever as millions of people face hunger through growing food insecurity brought on by mis-governance.” said Adelaide Sosseh, GCAP Co-chair based in The Gambia.

Saturday’s Pan-African events will express the concern of people continent-wide for the situation in Zimbabwe, and demonstrate the unity with which Africans stand against the violations committed against Zimbabwe’s people. It represents the beginning of an Africa-wide campaign at the grassroots level, allowing African voices to speak out about injustice in Zimbabwe.

Note to Editors:
There are a growing number of African voices speaking out against the suffering in Zimbabwe and demanding action from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and individual African governments. The types of action that they are calling for include:

Appointment of an independent commission of inquiry to look into the recent human rights violations and abuses
Posting of human rights monitors to report on the current situation
Urge a solution to the present political crisis and deep divisions amongst the people of Zimbabwe in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue
Restoration of the independence of the judiciary and accountability of security forces and law enforcement agencies

There will be a range of activities taking place across the African continent on Saturday 12 July 2008, organised by local civil society organisations and concerned citizens. The expressions of solidarity that they will be making include:

Organising vigils outside the Zimbabwean embassies
Assembling outside government buildings or Houses of Parliament urging national governments to play a more active role on Zimbabwe
Meetings with heads of state, parliamentarians or local governments to urge action on Zimbabwe
Publishing articles or letters in the national or local press on violations of human and people’s rights in Zimbabwe
Organising press conferences with civil society representatives, government representatives and other experts on Zimbabwe
Issuing a press releases urging action on Zimbabwe
Directing people to sign a petition or take an e-action
Presenting memorandums or submissions to the African Union, Southern African Development Community and national governments

CIVICUS statement on Zimbabwe:
http://www.civicus.org/new/media/CIVICUS-Zimbabwe-Statement.pdf

Amnesty International statement on Zimbabwe:
http://www.amnesty.org/

GCAP statement on Zimbabwe:
http://www.whiteband.org/media/press-info/au-summit-egypt-the-chance-for...

For further information, please contact:
For CIVICUS:                                 For media queries:
Anupama Selvam                          Nastasya Tay
anupama.selvam@civicus.org nastasya.tay@civicus.org
+27 11 833 5959 ext. 107           +27 73 266 0493

For GCAP:                                     For Amnesty International:
Joe Donlin                                      On Call Press Officer
joe.donlin@civicus.org                 + 44 0777 847 2126

Violence and coercion mark Zimbabwe's election

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:07:34 +0100

Voting in Zimbabwe on Friday has been marked by a campaign of state violence and intimidation in the run up to the presidential election. Amnesty International has said that it is deeply disturbed by the campaign that is part of a deliberate strategy by the Zimbabwean government to ensure that Robert Mugabe wins the election.

The decision to hold the vote came despite calls by the international community to postpone the election until the security situation in Zimbabwe had improved. Across Zimbabwe, thousands of suspected supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have been harassed and intimidated.

"Today’s election is being held against a backdrop of widespread killings, torture and assault of perceived opposition supporters. Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate outside the African Union (AU) and UN human rights framework for far too long,” said Amnesty International.

"It is time for effective African and international solidarity with the victims of human rights violations in Zimbabwe. The people must not be left alone to suffer this ongoing violence."

Supporters – or perceived supporters – of the MDC have been arbitrarily arrested and detained. The MDC claims that about 2,000 of its members are in custody. Among the political detainees was the party’s Secretary General Mr Tendai Biti, who was released from detention on 26 June after being arrested on 12 June on charges of treason.

Over 80 people have been killed in the post-election violence so far – most of them MDC supporters.

"War veterans" have set up informal "bases" in rural and urban areas where they plan attacks against perceived MDC supporters. They conduct "re-education" sessions that include severely assaulting people suspected to be MDC supporters as a "lesson" to others. Victims include women, children and the elderly.

State security agencies such as the police and army are being used to pursue a partisan agenda – seriously compromising their constitutional responsibility to protect the human rights of all Zimbabweans.

Other perceived opponents of the government have also been targeted, including human rights defenders and lawyers. A number of lawyers have been forced to flee the country out of fear for their lives and the safety of their families.

Human rights defenders, including members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), have been arbitrarily arrested and denied bail purely for exercising their right to peaceful protest.

"Human rights activists like Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu from WOZA have been languishing in detention since their arrest on 28 May, solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful protest," said Amnesty International. "Meanwhile, murderers, torturers, and other perpetrators of human rights violations are left at large and given free rein to commit further human rights violations with impunity.”

Zimbabwe: State-sponsored violence and coercion create fundamentally flawed election

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:08:26 +0100

Amnesty International today said that it is deeply disturbed by the continuing campaign of state violence and intimidation as part of a deliberate strategy by the Zimbabwean government to ensure that Robert Mugabe wins today’s presidential election. The decision to hold the vote today comes despite calls by the international community to postpone the election until the security situation in Zimbabwe has improved.

“Today’s election is being held against a backdrop of widespread killings, torture and assault of perceived opposition supporters” said Amnesty International.

“Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate outside the African Union (AU) and UN human rights framework for far too long. It is time for effective African and international solidarity with the victims of human rights violations in Zimbabwe. The people must not be left alone to suffer this ongoing violence.”

Amnesty International urges the AU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to apply all necessary pressure on President Mugabe and his government to end the violence, and calls for a special session of the AU’s Peace and Security Council to consider the situation in Zimbabwe.

“The silence by the AU Assembly Chairman, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, with regard to the situation in Zimbabwe has been deafening – and is contrary to its own principles of respect for human rights and the rule of law,” said Amnesty International.

“The AU Chairman should, during the upcoming Assembly of the African Union next week, strongly and openly condemn the human rights violations occurring in Zimbabwe. Anything less is an abdication of its responsibilities”.

“The AU should, in collaboration with SADC, immediately put human rights monitors on the ground in Zimbabwe and set up an international commission of inquiry to investigate the ongoing violence so that those responsible can be brought to justice”.

Amnesty International said that while the election takes place, hundreds of political and human rights activists remain detained in Zimbabwean prisons -- arbitrarily denied bail -- simply for exercising their political rights, including the right to freedom of association. Amnesty International considers all detainees arrested simply because of their perceived political affiliation or exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly to be Prisoners of Conscience and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

“Human rights activists like Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu from WOZA [Women of Zimbabwe Arise] are languishing in prison, solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful protest,” said Amnesty International.

“Meanwhile, murderers, torturers, and other perpetrators of human rights violations are left at large and given free rein to commit further human rights violations with impunity.”

Note to editors:
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are leaders of the activist organisation Woman of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), who were arrested and detained on 28 May 2008 after participating in a peaceful protest against post election violence. They were arbitrarily denied bail by the High Court and are set to appear in court on 3 July. They are being held at Chikurubi Maximum Prison in Harare. They were arrested for exercising their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to peaceful protest. Amnesty International considers them to be Prisoners of Conscience.

Twelve bodies found in Zimbabwe – victims tortured to death

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:04:00 +0100

Amnesty International revealed on Thursday that 12 bodies have been found in various areas of Zimbabwe. Most of the victims appear to have been tortured to death by their abductors.

They were allegedly abducted by ZANU-PF supporters who, in some instances, were accompanied by armed men believed to be government agents.

Four of the victims were reportedly abducted yesterday from the home of Mr Chipiyo, an MDC councillor-elect in Chitungwiza by ZANU-PF youths. One of the victims is Archford Chipiyo the son of the MDC councillor-elect.

Five bodies were found in Masvingo province, while two were found in Gokwe district in the Midlands province and one was found dumped in Harare.

Another victim died in Harare today in hospital of injuries sustained from the beatings by ZANU-PF youths when she attended a funeral of a relative in Buhera.

Amnesty International has also received information from eyewitnesses that soldiers are going about threatening villagers with guns, instructing them to vote for President Mugabe on 27 June.

"The government must publicly denounce all acts of violence by ZANU-PF supporters, 'war veterans' and soldiers and work with all political parties to end political violence immediately," said Amnesty International.

"It should also withdraw soldiers, who have been deployed in rural and urban areas, and are instigating attacks against people perceived to be supporters of the MDC."

Amnesty International also called on leaders of the South Africa Development Community (SADC) to convene an emergency summit to address the deteriorating security situation in Zimbabwe.

Open Letter to Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, Chair of SADC

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:12:31 +0100

Dear President Mwanawasa,

I am writing to you in your capacity as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). I am appealing to you to convene an emergency summit of the SADC heads of state and government to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Since March 2007, Amnesty International has been closely monitoring efforts by SADC states to ensure that the conditions in Zimbabwe enable the country to hold free and fair elections. We welcomed the emergency summit held on 12 April 2008 in Lusaka to try to break the political impasse in Zimbabwe after the 29 March elections. However, the current state-sponsored violence, harassment and intimidation of people perceived to have a political affiliation with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is undermining SADC efforts to end the crisis. People are being killed, tortured and subjected to other ill-treatment while the perpetrators are enjoying complete impunity.

Amnesty International expressed shock yesterday at the discovery of 12 people whose bodies were found dumped in various parts of the country after their abduction. In some cases, the victims were beaten to death. This pattern of human rights violations appears to be intensifying as the country gets closer to the second round of the presidential election, set for 27 June 2008. African election observers who are currently in Zimbabwe have also witnessed some of the violence.

Most of the violence appears to be instigated by soldiers who were deployed first in the rural areas, and later in the urban centres to coordinate President Mugabe’s re-election campaign. The soldiers are working closely with "war veterans" and ZANU-PF supporters in intimidating and harassing people accused of having voted "wrongly" during the first round of the election. Reliable sources in Zimbabwe have also reported retaliatory attacks by the MDC.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Zimbabwe Republic Police are failing in their constitutional duty to protect the rights of all, including the right to life and freedom from torture and other forms of ill-treatment. They have chosen to operate in a partisan manner allowing impunity for human rights violations and abuses to thrive.

Amnesty International is therefore calling on SADC to:

convene an emergency summit of SADC heads of state and government to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe;
support the deployment of AU or UN human rights monitors to investigate alleged human rights violations and support the full implementation of their recommendations;
urge the government of Zimbabwe to take immediate steps to guarantee the right to life, freedom from torture and other ill-treatment and freedom of expression and assembly for all. The government should publicly denounce all acts of violence by ZANU-PF supporters, "war veterans" and soldiers, as well as by any other parties, and work with the MDC and civil society to end political violence immediately. It should also immediately withdraw soldiers, who have been deployed in rural and urban areas, who appear to be instigating attacks against people perceived to have voted for the MDC;
use the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation within SADC to immediately set up an independent and impartial body to investigate all acts of political violence. The investigation’s findings and recommendations should be made public.

Yours sincerely

Irene Khan
Secretary General

Zimbabwe: Amnesty International reveals 12 bodies found; victims tortured to death

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:46:43 +0100

Amnesty International today revealed that 12 bodies have been found in various areas of Zimbabwe.

Most of the victims appear to have been tortured to death by their abductors.

They were allegedly abducted by ZANU-PF supporters who, in some instances, were accompanied by armed men believed to be government agents.

Four of the victims were reportedly abducted yesterday from the home of Mr Chipiyo, an MDC councillor-elect in Chitungwiza by ZANU-PF youths. One of the victims is Archford Chipiyo the son of the MDC councillor-elect.

Five bodies were found in Masvingo province, while two were found in Gokwe district in the Midlands province and one was found dumped in Harare.

Another victim died in Harare today in hospital of injuries sustained from the beatings by ZANU-PF youths when she attended a funeral of a relative in Buhera.

Amnesty International has also received information from eyewitnesses that soldiers are going about threatening villagers with guns, instructing them to vote for President Mugabe on 27 June.

“The government must publicly denounce all acts of violence by ZANU-PF supporters, ‘war veterans’ and soldiers and work with all political parties to end political violence immediately,” said Amnesty International.

“It should also withdraw soldiers, who have been deployed in rural and urban areas, and are instigating attacks against people perceived to be supporters of the MDC.”

Amnesty International also called on leaders of the South Africa Development Community (SADC) to convene an emergency summit to address the deteriorating security situation in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: Amnesty International accuses government of using food for political gain

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:15:04 +0100

Amnesty International today called on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately lift its ban on field operations by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and accused the government of using food for political ends.

“The suspension of field operations by all NGOs on the order of the Zimbabwean government is likely to increase food insecurity in Zimbabwe and expose millions of people to hunger,” said Amnesty International.

“The suspension of NGO operations is yet another attempt by the government to manipulate food distribution for political ends,” said Amnesty International.

“Suspension of humanitarian operations by NGOs ensures that the government has a monopoly over food distribution through the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB) during the pre-election period.”

Since 2000, Amnesty International has documented how GMB food has been used as a political tool against perceived government opponents.

Amnesty International said that the restrictions will not only have a detrimental effect on food security in Zimbabwe, but also serve as a means for the government to prevent aid workers from witnessing the sharply increased levels of state-sponsored political violence taking place in the country since presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 29 March.

“By closing off the space for NGOs in Zimbabwe, the government is attempting to hide the worst of the human rights violations taking place in the country,” said Amnesty International

“The Zimbabwean authorities must ensure that food is distributed to all on the basis of need -- irrespective of real or perceived political affiliation.”

“Humanitarian organisations and other NGOs should be allowed go about their legitimate work without interference. By deliberately blocking life-sustaining aid, the government of Zimbabwe may be violating the right of its citizens to life, food, and health.”

Notes to editors
Without giving specific reasons for his action, the Zimbabwean Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Nicholas Goche, wrote to all private voluntary organisations and NGOs on 4 June 2008, instructing them to stop their operations.

The Minister gave his intention to invoke Section (10), Subsection (c), of the Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05] as the basis for his action.

The poorest Zimbabweans will be worst affected by the ban. They will be increasingly exposed to life-threatening diseases, since the suspension affects water and sanitation projects. The ban will also severely impact the care of Zimbabwe’s over one million children orphaned by AIDS, and the terminally ill who are on home-based care programmes.

This is not the first time that government policies and practices in Zimbabwe have exacerbated Zimbabwe’s food security problems. In 2005, Operation Murambatsvina, the government’s programme of mass forced evictions, resulted in hundreds of thousands of women, men and children being made homeless, without access to adequate food, water and sanitation, or healthcare.

Since 2000, millions of people in Zimbabwe have had great difficulty in gaining access to adequate food. One of the major causes of the food crisis in Zimbabwe has been the drop in domestic food production. While climatic factors, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and economic problems have all played a role in declining agricultural productivity, government policies and practices have exacerbated Zimbabwe’s food security problems.