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Torture still rampant in Zimbabwe
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
June 26, 2007

" . . . the term "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity."
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984) Part 1, Article 1

Today, 26 June 2007, the world remembers victims of torture yet the government of Zimbabwe remains persistent in its subjection of torture on innocent civilians. As the socio-political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe intensifies, the government continues to subject human rights activists to torture in its bid to silence those critical to its self destructive policies. Human rights activists are brutalized whilst in police custody. The law has become a farce, as the law enforcement agents are acting on political lines rather than impartially executing their duties in protecting the populace.

Section 15(1) of the Zimbabwean constitution states that no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other such treatment. Furthermore Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights notes that, "Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status. All forms of exploitation and degradation of man particularly slavery, slave trade, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment shall be prohibited."

Since the 11th of March Save Zimbabwe prayer rally calamity which led to the murder of Gift Tandare by the police, the incumbent government has been wantonly violating domestic, regional and international statutes which strongly condemn torture. On the 11th of March Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and civil society leaders who included MDC president, Morgan Tsvangirai, Grace Kwinjeh, Sekai Holland, NCA chairperson, Lovemore Madhuku, Elton Mangoma, William Bango, Nelson Chamisa among others, were tortured while in police custody before attending the prayer rally.

On the 28th of March, MDC supporters were rounded up at the party's headquarters at Harvest House and were subsequently tortured in order to coerce them to admit to a series of bombings which were targeting mainly police stations. While in police custody, the accused were tortured by members of the police to a point where one of the accused, Pineal Denga virtually lost his sense of hearing.

Recent reports reveal that the wife of Albert Matapo who is accused of plotting to topple President Mugabe, was tortured while in police detention. Medical reports reveal that the woman sustained burns and blisters on her feet and breasts and also received extensive damage to her ears.

The government of Zimbabwe has, on many occasions condoned the torture perpetrated against opposition voices. In September 2006, President Robert Mugabe publicly stated his position on torture, when he said, " We cannot have a situation where people decide to sit in places not allowed and when the police remove them, they say no. we can't have that, that is a revolt to the system. Vamwe vakuchema kuti takarohwa, ehe unodashurwa (Some are crying that they were beaten, yes, you will be bushed). When the police say move, move. If you don't move, you invite the police to use force." This was after the police tortured Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders in police custody, following a protest against the rising cost of living.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition calls upon the government to uphold the provisions of the constitution by stopping the use of torture against human rights activists and bring to book perpetrators of such acts of terror. It is mandatory that all citizens be treated with dignity and respect. We remember those who have fallen pray to the state terror campaign of torture and deplore such actions which are gross violations of human rights.

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