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Political violence report: May 2006 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
July 14, 2006

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Overview
The month of May was characterized by a marked increase in the number of torture cases numbering 84 in the period. Twenty-seven students were arrested following class boycotts at Bindura State University and the police reportedly tortured 16 of the students. After a computer lab at Bindura State University was burnt down, around 80 students were arrested and many of them were also tortured in police custody. The Human Rights Forum notes with great concern that violence and torture continue to be used in Zimbabwe by state agents as a way of quelling dissent, as well as extracting information from the public, be it for political or criminal purposes. The Forum implores the State to respect its international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international instruments to which it is party and also to ratify the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel or Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).

The NCA held demonstrations on 11 and 18 May in support for a new Constitution. The demonstrators were reportedly assaulted and tortured by the police. The Human Rights Forum deplores the heavy-handed manner with which the police quelled these demonstrations and urges the State to respect the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

The Budiriro House of Assembly by-election was the focus of many violations of human rights. In the run up to the by-election, a house was destroyed, activists victimized and pro-Senate MDC President Arthur Mutambara and his entourage were arrested for holding a campaign procession in the area. In this by-election allegations of intolerance were reported from both opposition and the ruling party. The Forum urges Zimbabweans to exercise tolerance and respect the constitutional rights of others regardless of their political persuasion.

Civil society in Zimbabwe started the 8 weeks commemoration of Operation Murambatsvina on 18 May 2006. This was exactly a year after the operation began in 2005. In the process, Dr. John Makumbe and some church leaders were arrested in connection with the commemoration. The ongoing harassment and arrest of innocent citizens who are exercising their civil liberties is of continuing concern to the Forum and needs to be addressed by the State and its agents as a matter of agency.

Totals: 1 May 2006 – 31 May 2006

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2006 – 31 May 2006

The graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations from 1 January 2006 to 31 May 2006. The total quantifiable number of victims reported in May 2006 is 259.

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