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Rights
Conditions Decline in Zimbabwe
Human Rights
Watch
June 09, 2003
http://hrw.org/press/2003/06/zimbabwe060903.htm
(New York) Human
rights conditions have deteriorated markedly in Zimbabwe over the
last few months, Human Rights Watch said in a new briefing paper
published today.
"Not only
have the army and police personnel failed to protect people from
human rights abuses, but they are now carrying out abuses themselves."
Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa Division
The briefing
paper, "Under a Shadow: Civil and Political Rights in Zimbabwe,"
details the government's policy of repression and the harassment
of opposition party members by state institutions and supporters
of the ruling party. The direct involvement of ranking government
officials and state security forces marks a new and worrisome trend
in Zimbabwe's ongoing political crisis.
"Not only have
the army and police personnel failed to protect people from human
rights abuses, but they are now carrying out abuses themselves,"
said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa Division
at Human Rights Watch. "In addition, recent legislation has drastically
curtailed citizens' rights to freedom of expression, assembly and
association."
Zimbabwe's main
opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led
a workplace stayaway from June 2-6 to protest declining economic
and political conditions and force the resignation of President
Mugabe. Public demonstrations and a protest march, which are illegal
under the 2002 Public Order and Security Act, were dismantled by
state security forces in Harare.
On March 18
and 19, a similar general strike resulted in the arrest of more
than 400 citizens and a severe government backlash against political
activity. The MDC was prevented from undertaking normal campaign
activities in the run-up to two parliamentary by-elections, and
party activists were harassed, detained and beaten.
The political
violence prevalent in rural areas since 2000 has now become common
in urban centers, and non-political actors such as civic organizations
and church leaders are increasingly targeted. The majority of the
violence in recent months has been committed by state security forces
and youth militias.
"Systematic
arbitrary arrests and other abuses of dissidents' human rights violates
Zimbabwe's obligations under international law," said Takirambudde.
"The government must end the culture of impunity before human rights
conditions decline further."
Human Rights
Watch called on the government of Zimbabwe to reestablish the rule
of law, disband youth militia, withdraw military personnel from
residential areas, and revise legislation that are contrary to international
human rights law. All sides are urged to promote a climate of tolerance
and mutual respect for differing political opinions.
Read
the report - Under a Shadow: Civil and Political Rights in Zimbabwe
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