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Political violence Report - June 2007 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
August 03, 2007

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Overview

The world commemorated the United Nations International Day Against Torture on 26 June. Zimbabwean civil society also joined in the commemoration with a regional solidarity conference being held in Bulawayo organized jointly by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition and thereafter the participants attended a church service at St Mary's Cathedral. The participants, who included Zimbabwean civil society members as well as regional civil society representatives from Zambia and Malawi, resolved to work for solidarity of civil society in the region with regard to human rights and governance and against torture, among other things.

Towards the end of May and at the beginning of June, 9 people were arrested in a bizarre incident, which became commonly known as the "coup plot". In this foiled coup plot, the 9 had purportedly been involved in a conspiracy to topple the President of Zimbabwe, Hon. Robert Mugabe using force of arms. The 9 were arrested, allegedly heavily assaulted and tortured. Their guilt has yet to be proven. In another instance, the rest of the MDC activists who were arrested and reportedly tortured after March 2007 on allegations of petrol bombing a number of targets were released after more than 72 days of incarceration. They were acquitted due to lack of evidence. In another development WOZA, members were arrested for demonstrating in Filabusi. The Human Rights Forum deplores the use of torture by the State to punish opposition and also to solicit confessions. This is contrary to international human rights instruments to which Zimbabwe is a party. The Forum therefore urges the Government to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizenry regardless of political persuasion or affiliation.

Two MDC activists were also reportedly abducted and then murdered in Matebeleland South. This raises the total of politically motivated murders to 4 by mid - year. This report will however not include these two deaths in the graphs and the summation of the monthly totals, nor will the information be included until the details pertaining to the incident have been sufficiently verified.

The Human Rights Forum notes with satisfaction the lifting of the ban on all political gatherings and rallies and implores the Government to allow the people of Zimbabwe to express themselves freely especially with the coming 2008 Elections in mind.

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