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Political violence Report: July 2007 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
September 10, 2007

http://www.hrforumzim.com/frames/inside_frame_monthly.htm

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Overview

As it has seemingly become common practice, the month of July was again characterised by police brutality on peaceful demonstrators.

The ZRP arrested 279 NCA members following a countrywide demonstration against Constitutional Amendment (No 18) Bill. Close to 170 of the demonstrators, including the NCA National Director, Ernest Mudzengi, were hospitalised after being severely tortured while in police custody at Harare Central Police Station. It is reported that the police arrested 243 NCA members in Harare while 12 people were arrested in Mutare, 10 in Masvingo and 14 in Gweru. The Human Rights Forum notes with concern the continued use of force by the ZRP in contravention of its Police Charter and other international norms and standards that regulate the conduct of law enforcement officials. The Human Rights Forum deplores such use of force by the police and urges the state to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of citizens who go about engaging in civic activities and peacefully expressing their need to participate in issues that concern their governance.

On July 7, armed police officers descended on students at the University of Zimbabwe who were gathered for a general meeting that had been called for by the Students Representative Council (SRC). The meeting had been convened in order to discuss the issue of an extra Z$1 million that the University was charging all students living in the halls of residents. Riot police reportedly dispersed the gathering using teargas canisters and randomly beat up students using baton sticks. It is also reported that six students, including three student leaders were arrested, detained and tortured at Avondale Police Station. Following these disturbances, the Vice - Chancellor of University of Zimbabwe, Levy Nyagura ordered students out of halls of residences in instances reminiscent of the infamous Operation Murambatsvina. A short notice was given before students were evicted from the halls of residence under the supervision of riot police. The evictions resulted in the majority of students having to sleep in the open for a number of days. Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor suspended 26 students indefinitely on allegations of unbecoming behaviour and damage to property after the demonstrations.

In a case that exposes state security agents' methods of torture, members of the ZRP Homicide Department reportedly assaulted two female victims for not knowing the whereabouts of one of the victim's sons. The state agents reportedly destroyed household property during the raid. A kitchen chair was used to assault one of the two women. The Forum again reiterates that state security agents must desist from practicing torture under any circumstances. Moreover, the wanton beating of women for wrongs allegedly perpetrated by their children, relatives or partners is unjustified and smacks in the face of efforts to protect women from violence from any quarters.

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