Links

"Bullets for Each of You" State sponsored violence since Zimbabwe's March 29 elections [pdf]

This 69-page report documents numerous incidents of abductions, beatings, torture, and killings by officials and supporters of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the armed forces and police, "war veterans," and youth militia against MDC activists and perceived MDC supporters. Human Rights Watch has confirmed at least 36 politically motivated deaths and 2,000 victims of violence. The report also examines the Zimbabwean government's role in perpetrating and inciting the violence for political gain, and its failure to end the violence and prosecute those responsible. Human Rights Watch researchers conducted more than 70 interviews with victims and eyewitnesses to the violence since March in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe (Human Rights Watch, June 9 2008).

http://hrw.org/reports/2008/zimbabwe0608/zimbabwe0608web.pdf

(Added: Wed Jun 11 2008   Hits: 44)

A Report on Torture and Human Rights Abuses in Zimbabwe

Since early 2007, the Zimbabwean government has brutally sought to suppress political opposition with state sponsored torture and political violence. This upsurge in political violence occurred following a peaceful prayer rally organized on March 11 2007 by a coalition of Zimbabwean church and civic organizations (December 2007).

http://www.soros.org/resources/articles_publications/publications/zimbabwe_20071201/zimbabwe_20071130.pdf

(Added: Tue Dec 11 2007   Modified: Thu Dec 20 2007   Hits: 51)

All Over Again: Human Rights Abuses and Flawed Electoral Conditions in Zimbabwe's Coming General Elections

In a 59-page report, Human Rights Watch documents how the government and the ruling party ZANU-PF, in the run up to the 2008 elections, have engaged in widespread intimidation of the opposition; have restricted freedom of association and assembly; and have manipulated food and farming equipment distribution to gain political advantage (Human Rights Watch, March 2008).

http://hrw.org/reports/2008/zimbabwe0308/

(Added: Thu Mar 20 2008   Hits: 69)

Demand justice for the victims of Operation Murambatsvina!

During May-July 2005, an estimated 700,000 people lost their homes, their livelihoods, or both when the Zimbabwe government forcibly evicted them and demolished their homes and businesses as part of Operation Murambatsvina (Drive Out Rubbish). The vast majority of the victims have received no help from the government, and remain homeless. Write a letter to the Chairperson of the Parliament of Zimbabwe's Portfolio Committee on Local Government to protest this.

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/zwe-080906-action-eng

(Added: Tue Sep 12 2006   Hits: 239)

Keeping Campfire Going: Political Uncertaintly and Natural Resource Management in Zimbabwe

The increasingly dictatorial nature of Zimbabwe's current government has had a negative impact on formerly vibrant community based natural resource management initiatives. This report uses two case studies of community based management (CAMPFIRE and forest co-management) to examine the impact of the political situation on resource management institutions and the resources on which they depend (Everisto Mapedza, IIED, 2007).

http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/14554IIED.pdf

(Added: Tue May 27 2008   Hits: 16)

Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zimbabwe to assess the Scope and Impact of Operation Murambatsvina [PDF]

UN Special Envoy on Human Settlements Issues in Zimbabwe, Mrs. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, 18 July, 2005. In May 2005 the Government of Zimbabwe launched a clean-up operation of its cities known as "Murambatsvina". It was described as a programme to enforce bylaws to stop all forms of alleged "illegal activities in areas such as vending, illegal structures, illegal cultivation" among others in its cities. Concerned by the adverse impact of the Operation on the lives of the urban poor, the Secretary- General of the United Nations appointed a Special Envoy on Human Settlements Issues to assess the situation and present recommendations on how the conditions of those affected may be addressed. This report provides the findings and recommendations of the Special Envoy for her mission undertaken between 26 June and 8 July, 2005, in Zimbabwe.

http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/zimbabwe/zimbabwe_rpt.pdf

(Added: Mon Jul 25 2005   Modified: Fri Jul 21 2006   Hits: 59)

Women Human Rights Defenders Arrested And Detained

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has noted with grave concern the arrest on 13 February 2006 of approximately one hundred and eighty one (181) human rights defenders, under the banner of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), in central Bulawayo as they were dispersing from a peaceful protest. The detainees have been charged with violating section 24 of the notorious Public Order and Security Act for participating in an unsanctioned procession, which charges they deny. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Press Statement Tuesday 14th February 2006.

http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/06-02-14%20woza%20bulawayo%20arrests.doc

(Added: Thu Feb 16 2006   Hits: 49)

World leaders: Do not recognise Mugabe- Petition

This petition launched by Avaaz encourages World Leaders not to recognise the government of Robert Mugabe.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/zimbabwe_chance_for_peace/6.php?cl=104322875

(Added: Fri Jul 04 2008   Hits: 62)

Zimbabwe : Insight into the Humanitarian Crisis and Food Politics

This report looks at the use of humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe which has been facing sanctions since the implementation of land reform in 2000. Western donors have pulled out most of their funding and the bulk of their assistance consists of short term humanitarian interventions, mainly food aid. Agriculture and health sectors are neglected whereas they should be a priority - the former essential to combat poverty and hunger and the latter to fight HIV/Aids. (Senior Fellow Frédéric Mousseau, Action Contra la Faim, January 2006)

http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2006/acf-zwe-4may.pdf

(Added: Thu Jul 20 2006   Modified: Mon Jul 24 2006   Hits: 54)

Zimbabwe Information Centre

No person can vote without intimidation People are arrested, tortured and killed for supporting opposition parties 4 in every 5 Zimbabweans have lost their jobs since 1999 War veterans on a farm in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's economy has shrunk by 43%, the country is spiralling down to an economic and social disaster with unemployment estimated at over 80%, inflation running over 580%, hunger is widespread, the Aids death rate is rising ever higher, while 85% of Zimbabwe's 12.5 million people are now living well below the poverty line. This Australian-based information centre provides up-to-date news and events and looks to support the democratic struggle against the Mugabe ZANU-PF regime and the terrible poverty striking the great majority of Zimbabweans.

http://www.zic.com.au/

(Added: Fri Feb 10 2006   Modified: Wed Jul 12 2006   Hits: 91)

ZIMBABWE: Food stockpiling as people fear the 'Kenya syndrome'

Post-election violence in Kenya is creating pre-election nervousness among Zimbabwe's voters ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections in March, and people are beginning to stockpile food in the event of any possible unrest (IRIN, 9 January 2008).

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76161

(Added: Tue Jan 15 2008   Hits: 34)

Zimbabwe: No justice for the victims of forced eviction

During May-July 2005, an estimated 700,000 people lost their homes, their livelihoods, or both when the Zimbabwe government forcibly evicted them and demolished their homes and businesses as part of Operation Murambatsvina (Drive Out Rubbish). The forced evictions and demolitions were carried out without adequate notice, due process, legal protection, redress or appropriate relocation measures. In some instances court orders were disregarded. In addition, police used excessive force: property was destroyed and people were beaten. The vast majority of the victims have received no help from the government. They have been left to find their own alternative shelter in the middle of winter. Many are now living in overcrowded and often squalid conditions and thousands of the victims are still living in the open under makeshift shelters. (Amnesty International, September 2006)

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR460052006

(Added: Tue Sep 12 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 42)

Zimbabwe: The destruction of Porta Farm

These shocking photos show side by side satellite images of Porta Farm, Zimbabwe, taken in June 2002 and in April 2006. Porta Farm was a large, informal settlement that was established 16 years ago and had schools, a children's centre and a mosque. As the second photo shows, it has been compltely obliterated. In May 2005 the government of Zimbabwe embarked on Operation Murambatsvina (Restore Order), a programme of mass forced evictions and the demolition of homes and informal businesses. The operation, which was carried out in winter and against a backdrop of severe food shortages, targeted poor urban and peri-urban areas countrywide. The UN estimates that in the space of approximately six weeks some 700,000 people lost their homes, their livelihoods, or both. (Amnesty International, June 2006)

http://news.amnesty.org/pages/zwe-310506-news-eng

(Added: Thu Jun 01 2006   Hits: 166)

Zimbabwe: Time for Change

With the economy in free fall, the potential end of Robert Mugabe's presidency looming, and deep cracks dividing both the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), unrest and violence threaten. With anger widespread, ZANU-PF wants to avoid a popular vote by using the legislature it controls to establish a "transitional presidency" and appoint a successor to Mugabe. The rising influence of the military is also troubling. Opposition forces need to put their disputes behind them and present a unified front to take on a government that is increasingly desperate and dangerous. The international response to the growing misery and danger has been unfocused and ineffective. African leaders and institutions like the African Union (AU) have failed to come to terms with the situation. (Crisis Group, June 2006)

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3535&l=1

(Added: Wed Jun 07 2006   Hits: 41)

Zimbabweans flee with hope and US$50

In Musina, South Africa, authorities have been deporting up to 500 people who have crossed the border illegally from Zimbabwe. But they keep coming. (IRIN, 26/2/08)

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76837

(Added: Tue Feb 26 2008   Hits: 26)