Paris, April 4, 2003

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and ZimRights, its affiliate organization, are particularly concerned by the escalation of politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe since the protest actions of 18-19 March 2003 and strongly condemn the wave of arbitrary arrests, ill treatments and even torture against the population during the current electoral campaign.

Tension is rising in Harare because of the holding during spring time of a series of by-elections whose results may give a two-third majority at the Assembly for the ruling party (Zanu/PF) permitting to initiate constitutional amendments.

The strike of 18-19 March was called by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and supported by the unions and other civic groups to protest, notably against the politicisation of the distribution of food aid.

The authorities immediately declared the strike illegal under tough new security laws and said they would deal strongly with any troublemakers. President Robert Mugabe even warned the opposition MDC “not to instigate violence”, saying: "Those who play with fire will not only be burnt but consumed."

As a consequence, 500 people had so far been arrested in connection with the mass action; including the MDC Vice President and leader of the official opposition in Parliament, Mr. Gibson Sibanda on the flimsy accusation of “demanding the accountability of the Mugabe regime to the people”.

A doctor working in a hospital in the capital, Harare, said more than 250 people have been treated there after being beaten by the security forces; many had broken fingers or toes, some had broken legs.
The FIDH and ZimRights condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing violence, which has intensified and characterised the campaign period. The FIDH and ZimRights urge the government to fully respect the international covenant on civil and political rights ratified in 1991 by Zimbabwe and recall the national authorities “that Freedom of expression, assembly and association are essential conditions for the effective exercise of the right to vote and must be fully protected”, as stated by the Human rights Committee in its general comment 25.
The FIDH and ZimRights recall that in a declaration (28/03/2003) the European Union also “called on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect human rights, to immediately cease its campaign of violent repression and to call to account those responsible for the use of violence and torture”.
At the occasion of the 59th session of the UN Human rights commission currently held in Geneva, the FIDH and ZimRights consider that the member states can no longer keep silent on the violations of human rights in Zimbabwe, as the situation is getting worse . The FIDH and ZimRights urge them by way of a resolution to call for the immediate end of violence and tortures against civil society and for the respect of fundamental liberties by national authorities. The FIDH and ZimRights also urge the Zimbabwean government to invite the relevant Special Rapporteurs of the UN Commission on its territory to shed light on the violations, responsibilities, and make recommendation to fight against impunity.