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Anti-torture organisation condemns Mugabe Government's use of Torture
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
April 01, 2003

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) urges the government of Zimbabwe to stop violating human rights and to comply with the United Nations Conventions Against Torture and an Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

From 20 to 24 March 2003 increased violence has taken place in Zimbabwe. Following the near-total shut down of businesses in the 'stay away', called by the Movement for Democratic Change [MDC] as a peaceful protest against the Mugabe regime, the government of Zimbabwe responded with a violent campaign against the MDC and MDC supporters.

More than 250 people suffering from acts of violence, including torture, have been seen at the emergency departments of a number of hospitals in Harare, over the four day period and an estimated 400 people have been arrested.

The majority of the perpetrators were reported as being Zimbabwe National Army soldiers, in uniform, who were transported in military vehicles to the homes of the victims. The perpetrators were well equipped with weapons of torture such as batons, chains, hosepipes, and rifles. In most cases there were groups between twenty and fifty, assaulting individuals. It is reported that the perpetrators of torture and other acts of violence systematically targeted their victims, equipped with lists of names and addresses of those they deliberately sought to intimidate and inflict physical harm.

All victims examined by medical personnel during the week’s attacks had physical injuries consistent with weapons used in past documented cases of torture. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition describes in its report on Organised Violence and Torture in Zimbabwe that the political violence was organised and co-ordinated, and "meant to terrorise and intimidate any voices of dissent into silence by brutally retaliating against perceived dissidents."

The acts of torture and other violence taking place in Zimbabwe is in clear violation of the UN Convention Against Torture, which defines torture as "severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental; intentionally inflicted; with a purpose; by a state official or another acting with the acquiesce of the State." A further violation is the obstruction to medical and psychosocial rehabilitation for victims of torture by the Mugabe regime: the IRCT's partner centre, the Amani Trust in Harare, has been forced to suspend all operations in support of torture victims due to harassment and threats, together with the arrest, and subsequent release of the Medical Director, Dr Frances Lovemore.

The IRCT urgently calls upon the international community to make representations to the Government of Zimbabwe, urging that the Government of Zimbabwe immediately:

• take all necessary measures to restore the rule of law in Zimbabwe and to bring to justice those responsible for the acts of torture and violence taking place
• request that the Government of Zimbabwe allow access without fear or intimidation of all victims of violence in Zimbabwe to receive the necessary medical and psychosocial treatment and support.
• ensure the protection and safety of human rights defenders, including health professionals treating victims of torture.

For further information, please contact:
Poul Struve Nielsen, Media Coordinator, +45 33 76 06 00 or +45 23 34 55 09.

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