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Political violence report: December 2005 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
February 13, 2006

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Overview
2005 cannot be regarded as a good year in the life of Zimbabwe. With yet another disputed Parliamentary election and the mass displacements that took place under Operation Murambatsvina, there were increasingly calls for Zimbabwe to be investigated for crimes against humanity. The year ended with an exceedingly strong resolution from the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights [ACHPR], in which the Commission called for an end to all human rights abuses, the amendment of various pieces of draconian legislation, and untrammeled assistance to the victims of Operation Murambatsvina. The Forum issued a number of reports on both the Parliamentary election and Operation Murambatsvina, indicating its concern over both¹.

Indeed, as our data show, in terms of the frequency of all violations, 2005 is the worst year since we began publishing our monthly reports in July 2001, and 2005 is markedly worse than 2004. It is also evident that the trend has been worsening over the past 5 years, and, despite the many interventions of international governments, international agencies and organizations, and national pressure groups, there is little indication that the Zimbabwe Government is taking its responsibilities under the Constitution and its international obligations seriously. Here the Forum can only endorse the resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

The trend towards declining rates of torture observed in 2004 has continued in 2005, but it was also evident that, in both years, the rates of torture and assaults increased during months in which there were elections. However, it was also seen that displacements, and unlawful arrests and detentions, increased markedly during 2005.

Totals: 1 December-31 December 2005

Cumulative totals: 1 January- 31 December 2005

The cumulative graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005. The total quantifiable number of victims reported in December 2005 is 10.

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1. For reports issued during the year, see the Appendix.

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