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Statement
on President Mugabe's remarks regarding torture
Zimbabwe
Exiles Forum (ZEF)
September
29, 2006
The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) is deeply disturbed by the public
and shameful confirmation that torture in Zimbabwe is orchestrated
and supported by the government itself. The report in The Herald
of 25 September 2006 that President Mugabe openly encouraged police
brutality has chilling effects.
ZEF is shocked
that whilst commenting on the serious torture of 15 ZCTU
leaders including Wellington Chibhebhe and Lucia Matibenga who suffered
broken limbs whilst in police custody for organizing peaceful
labour protests on 13 September 2006, the president was unsympathetic
and unapologetic. Rather, he openly gloated that those who dare
challenge his authority will face the wrath of state agents and
that there is nothing the international community, particularly
the EU and the US can do about it.
It is highly
unsettling that Mugabe shows scant regard for the victims of this
gruesome torture, even though they might suffer permanent injury.
This incident is another telling example of how President Mugabe
is more concerned about perpetuating his own misrule of the country
at all costs. ZEF believes that in part, this vicious cycle of torture
is exacerbated by impunity and the war mentality of those that govern
us.
The government
has turned monstrous, sanctioning the butchering of its own people.
We agree with the International Bar Association’s and other’s view
that there is need for regional and international action to hold
the Zimbabwean government to account for its actions. This call
has been repeated several times and we repeat again that Zimbabwe
needs urgent international intervention, even a military one as
in Dafur and the DRC. International law cannot be flouted with impunity
while the world remains silent. We warn that if this persists, Zimbabweans
may be forced to resort to violence against this repressive regime,
a situation that should be prevented.
Gabriel Shumba
Human Rights Lawyer and Executive Director
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