Human Rights Monitoring Report - Kubatana

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In April, the cases of kidnapping/abduction doubled from 9 in March to 20. There was 1 murder and 3 cases of politically motivated rape. It was in April that saw the heavy handedness of state security agents as they tried to block the ZCTU called stayaway. Government threatened to withdraw the licences of any company that complied with the stay away and most companies could not risk this and thus opened their doors. In May, cases of harassment went up to 395 from 337 in April. Assault cases recorded went down from 229 in April to 176 in May. There were 17 cases of kidnapping/abduction recorded, 2 of rape and 2 of murder. In June there has been a marked increase in incidences recorded from 671 in May to 792. Incidences of harassment/intimidation and assault still record the highest. There is an increase in food aid discrimination with 34 incidences recorded. Operation ‘Dzikisa mutengo’ started in June but its effects were mainly felt in July. Of the 4122 cases documented between January and June 2727 were violations in the Northern region representing 67% of the total violations. The trend is the same in all the months that more incidences are recorded in the Northern region more than the Southern. There are more constituencies in the Northern than the Southern. This could have also meant that there is a denser network of ZPP monitors in the Northern region than the Southern as monitors are constituency based monitors in each constituency. Furthermore, there are more ‘no go’ areas for the opposition in the Northern region than the Southern region. In light of the impending Constitutional Amendment 18 that seeks to increase constituencies, ZPP anticipates more constituencies to the rural areas of the Northern region more than the Southern region. Harassment/intimidation and assault continue to be ways by which fear is instilled among the citizens. Fear has ensured that Zimbabweans do not participate in the democratic process. The images of battered civil society and opposition leaders after March 11 have refreshed the memory of many who might have forgotten what the Zimbabwean government is capable of. The sight of the images for many in rural and urban areas has meant that they do not want to cross the path of the government and the ruling party if given the choice. The sight of the injuries sustained by the leaders tortured in police custody for some means that those are paths never to be crossed. The Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter is one other factor that saw the rise in incidences of harassment and intimidation as Catholic priests were targeted. The fact that the state President personally attacked the Bishops made the situation worse. There are strange cases being recorded since May, for example suspected or known members of the opposition are being denied burial space in their communities by their traditional leaders. For expressing their own opinion and exercise the rights to associate and to choose whom to associate with citizens are now being banished from their places of birth. There have also been several cases of health staff denying those of a different political affiliation, an opportunity to be treated. In one incident a ruling party member was refused treatment on the basis of his political affiliation while in the other case an opposition MDC supporter was denied the same. The diamond rush in Manicaland has had its fair share of violations. Women were victims of inhuman searches of their private parts. Some citizens have been hospitalized for injuries sustained when they were assaulted by the police whenever they were found in the area. A mother of two is currently in hospital nursing exploded buttocks sustained when she was assaulted by the police. © ZPP Programmes Dept. June 2007 8
METHODOLOGY This report is based on reports from ZPP long-term community based primary peace monitors (two in each of the 120 electoral constituencies of Zimbabwe), who observe, monitor and record cases of human rights abuse. The monitors compile reports that are handed over to ZPP Provincial Coordinators who manage ZPP offices in the ten administrative provinces of Zimbabwe. Upon receipt and verification of the reports from the monitors, the Provincial Coordinators compile provincial monthly monitoring reports, which are then consolidated at the national office, into the ZPP monthly monitoring report. In addition, ZPP reviews relevant literature including acts of parliament, policy documents and newspaper articles. NORTHERN REGION Harare Metropolitan Totals 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Murder 0 0 4 Rape Kidnapping/Abduction Type of cases Assault Harare Metropolitan 61 Theft/Looting 3 0 2 3 5 Discrimination MDP Torture Unlawful Detention Harassment/intimidation 67 Displacement 4 Jun-07 NORTHERN REGION Chitungwiza 8 June 2007 In Unit O, it is alleged that two MDC youths, SM and EM were assaulted for denouncing the ruling party president by four soldiers of the Zimbabwe National Army. 12 June 2007 In Unit A, it is alleged that three MDC members, CM, MM and AM were assaulted for wearing MDC t/ shirts by four Zanu PF youths. At St. Aidus primary school, it is alleged that three people, were © ZPP Programmes Dept. June 2007 abducted and harassed by three CIO operatives, for discussing economic hardships and blaming it on the ruling party. 16 June 2007 At Chirunga shops, it is alleged that CC, who was discussing with a friend and suggested that the president Robert Gabriel Mugabe should step down, was assaulted by two soldiers who heard the conversation. 21 June 2007 In Unit C, at Mukanya bottle store, it is alleged that two MDC youths, AS and TN, were assaulted, by three Zanu PF youths, EM, BJ and SC for being MDC activists. 25 June 2007 In Unit P, it is alleged that four MDC members, TU, KU, KK and SK were assaulted for being MDC activists. 28 June 2007 At Chirasavana shops, it is alleged that two MDC youths, were abducted and assaulted by four CIO operatives led by JM, for chanting MDC slogans. 9
Page 1 and 2: Human Rights Monitoring Report June
Page 3 and 4: DEFINITIONS OF TERMS (HUMAN RIGHTS
Page 5 and 6: • Intra party violence within the
Page 7: cognizant of the fact that there ar
Page 11 and 12: NORTHERN REGION Harare North 9 June
Page 13 and 14: NORTHERN REGION legislator, GC and
Page 15 and 16: NORTHERN REGION Hwedza 2 June 2007
Page 17 and 18: NORTHERN REGION At Mutoko centre, i
Page 19 and 20: NORTHERN REGION opposition. Rushing
Page 21 and 22: NORTHERN REGION A group of unidenti
Page 23 and 24: NORTHERN REGION AW (42), JM (52) an
Page 25 and 26: NORTHERN REGION GMB maize, by Zanu
Page 27 and 28: NORTHERN REGION Some unnamed police
Page 29 and 30: SOUTHERN REGION Bulawayo Bulawayo T
Page 31 and 32: SOUTHERN REGION Matabeleland South
Page 33 and 34: SOUTHERN REGION 8 June 2007 At Mpal
Page 35 and 36: SOUTHERN REGION 14 June 2007 At Mus
Page 37 and 38: SOUTHERN REGION Masvingo Masvingo 5
Page 39 and 40: SOUTHERN REGION 20 June 2007 In a a
Page 41 and 42: SOUTHERN REGION 19 June 2007 CM, of
Page 43 and 44: SOUTHERN REGION community members w
Page 45 and 46: BACKGROUND & FORMATION ____________
Page 47: deployed in each of the 120 elector

Human Rights Monitoring Report - Kubatana

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