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ZEF statement to the 43rd session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF)
May 09, 2008

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) thanks the ACHPR for this opportunity and wishes to bring to the honorable Commission the alarming instances of post-election violence that could amount to crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe. In the aftermath of elections, violence against opposition MDC supporters and civil society actors has escalated in with the result that to date, about 32 people have died gruesome deaths, while thousands of people have been displaced, after their homesteads and villages have been burnt down and destroyed. The post election atrocities in the country have inevitably let to yet another exodus of Zimbabweans to South Africa and Botswana.

Also, of great concern is the recent spate of xenophobic attacks in Mamelodi, Attridgeville and Soshanguve townships in Pretoria, South Africa. In Mamelodi, the heinous attacks left a 9-year old child dead after she was burnt to death inside the shack she resided in with her parents. In Attridgeville, 2 Zimbabweans lost their lives due to these attacks, and about 60 people were rendered homeless after their dwellings were burnt down by South African locals. Many like incidence have left Zimbabweans homeless in South Africa, aside from violations that have ranged from abuse of dignity, privacy, the right not to be discriminated against and safety and security. What is worrying about all this is the lax attitude of the law enforcement agencies. In some instances the police have abrogated their duties to urge those foreigners under attack to 'defend yourself'.

In light of the above, ZEF calls upon the African Commission to further condemn the atrocities in Zimbabwe, and to work with the African Union to ensure that loss of lives in the country is prevented.

ZEF also calls upon the AU Special Rapporteur for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to renew his call to visit South Africa and Botswana to assess the human rights situation and treatment of Zimbabweans in these countries.

Lastly and in the event of a fact finding mission to South Africa failing, ZEF further recommends that the African Commission issue a public statement condemning the treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa, as evidence abounds that the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in this country is inhumane to say the least.

Visit the ZEF fact sheet

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