Report Cover Photo: Cover of reference manual used since 2001 to train youth militia in Zimbabwean history
In the last two years, Zimbabwe has seen a new national youth service training programme moving rapidly from a supposedly voluntary, small scale training that allegedly aimed at skills enhancement, patriotism and moral education, to what is now intended to be a compulsory, large scale, paramilitary training.
The need for national service has to date never been formally debated in Parliament and there is no legislation controlling its implementation. Yet the youth militia training is now referred to by government as compulsory. Furthermore, the government is already implementing a policy that denies school leavers access to tertiary training facilities and civil service posts, including teaching and nursing, without proof of having completed the national service training. (Read more…)
Fri, September 5 2003 » Election violence, History, Human rights, Reports, Youth militia » Leave a comment
Report Cover Photo: The t-shirt that is alleged to have resulted in multiple detentions and assaults.
Previous reports compiled by the same authors in conjunction with Physicians For Human Rights Denmark (PHR-DK), detailed cases of torture in the western part of Zimbabwe in January, May and November 2002. In these three reports, war veterans and militia were identified as the main perpetrators of violence, although cases of police torture were recorded.
The previous PHR-DK reports showed a link between election campaigns in Zimbabwe and state organised violence. In 2002, an increase in politically motivated violence coincided with the Presidential election, Parliamentary by-elections and the Rural District Council elections. (Read more…)
Thu, April 17 2003 » Human rights, Reports » Leave a comment
Report Cover Photo: This child, diagnosed as having kwashiorkor, is from an MDC supporting family that allegedly has been consistently denied access to food on political grounds.
In association with Physicians for Human Rights, Denmark
The intention of this report, as with the two previous PHR-DK reports this year, is to focus on patterns of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, as observed by the authors, or as reported to them by victims and key informants. A task force from Denmark visited Zimbabwe and their findings are summarised here. This report covers the time period August to October 2002.
It is apparent that torture of the opposition and the political manipulation of food increased significantly in the weeks before and immediately after the Rural District Council elections of 28th and 29th September. Abuse included destruction of houses and property both before and after the elections, as well as physical torture of individuals. Similar patterns of abuses were noted in relation to the Insiza parliamentary by-election of 26th and 27th October. This is in accordance with previous findings by ourselves and other commentators that political abuses are directly linked to elections, and that persons who are perceived to be supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are the most likely victims of such abuses. Supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF continue to be the most common perpetrators of political human rights abuses. (Read more…)
Wed, November 20 2002 » Access to resources, Reports » Leave a comment
Report Cover Photo: Linear lesions spread all over the body were caused by beatings with sjamboks and a chain.
In association with Physicians for Human Rights, Denmark
The Presidential election in Zimbabwe took place on 9th – 11th March 2002. In a process described by almost all international observers as “unfree and unfair”, President Robert Mugabe was announced the winner of the poll. Gross human rights violations were documented throughout the current election process, and were an important factor in condemnation of the election outcome.
Since the elections, there has been little international media attention to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, and this could lead to the misperception that the situation has improved, or normalised in the post election period. This is not the case; politically motivated, government-endorsed violence continues against those perceived to be supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
President Mugabe has stated publicly in the post election phase, that the government intends to repress its political opponents. Parliament has effectively been rendered irrelevant by its adjournment until August. (Read more…)
Tue, May 21 2002 » 2002, Election violence, Human rights, Impunity of the State, Reports » Leave a comment
Report Cover Photo: Political Violence
In association with Physicians for Human Rights, Denmark
The Presidential Election in Zimbabwe will take place on 9 and 10th March 2002. During election campaigns over the last two years, violations of human and democratic rights have been well documented. Furthermore, attacks on the judiciary, the media and civil society have been consistently recorded over the last two years.
The international community has, throughout this time, tried to keep a dialogue open, and to influence positive changes in the policy of the government of Zimbabwe, to enable its citizens to elect the president of their choice, in an environment that is free and fair. (Read more…)
Thu, January 24 2002 » Election violence, Human rights, Impunity of the State, Reports » Leave a comment
