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

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Overview
July was a busy month in terms of the number of human rights violations which took place. The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) took to the streets on 12 July protesting in favour of constitutional reform. 128 NCA activists were arrested in Harare and 10 in Mutare following these demonstrations. In both instances, the police are said to have assaulted and tortured some of the activists during arrest and subsequent detention. Furthermore, the activists were detained in inhabitable police cells. The Forum deplores the use of assault and torture by the police during arrests and detention. The Forum further urges the responsible authorities to abide by the prohibitions of torture as espoused in the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and degrading Treatment and Punishment.

On 2 July, Ms Trudy Stevenson, who is an MP for Harare North, Mr Linos Mushonga the faction’s Acting Organising Secretary for Harare Province and Mrs Simangile Manyere, the Provincial Treasurer, were attacked while coming from a rally in Mabvuku. The attack was alleged to have been perpetrated by youths of the Anti-Senate Faction of the MDC. It is also alleged that the youths stole some cash, cell phones and other property from the victims. The Forum once again condemns violence of any sort and castigates the alleged perpetrators of the above-mentioned incident in the strongest possible terms. The Forum further urges all political parties to observe democratic processes and the constitutional entitlements of the people.

A case of a wrongful shooting took place on 15 July when members of the police shot an innocent passenger, who was travelling in a commuter omnibus. The victim was shot on her buttocks and she had to undergo an operation at Parirenyatwa Hospital to have the bullet removed. The Forum urges the police to exercise extreme caution when executing their duties.

Totals: 1 July 2006 – 31 July 2006

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2006 – 31 July 2006

The graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations from 1 January 2006 to 31 July 2006. The total quantifiable number of victims reported in July 2006 is 162.

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