JOHANNESBURG Respected international human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has urged Zimbabwe's power-sharing government to stop human rights abuses and intimidation of political opponents of President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party. In a statement released this week following Monday’s acquittal of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais top aide Roy Bennett from terrorism charges, Amnesty said it remained concerned about harassment of political opponents and critics of Zanu (PF) which wields the most power in the coalition.
We remain concerned about persistent abuse of the law against perceived opponents of the former Zanu (PF) government, said Amnesty International deputy director for Africa Michelle Kagari, from Johannesburg.
We urge the unity government to immediately end all malicious prosecutions of people exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The state, which alleges that Bennett gave money to gun dealer Peter Michael Hitschmann to buy weapons to be used to assassinate Mugabe, has since appealed the MDC politician’s acquittal.
Despite the creation of the unity government between Mugabe and long time rival Tsvangirai in February last year after disputed elections in March 2008, police continue, prosecuting authorities, and court officials aligned to Zanu (PF) continue to arbitrarily arrest and detain human rights activists, journalists, legislators and political activists aligned to the MDC.
Hopes that the acquittal of Bennett signaled Zanu (PF) hardliners were relenting in the campaign against percieved opponents were quickly dashed when Attorney General Johannes Tomana last Wednesday appealed against the High Court ruling clearing the MDC politician of wrong doing.
Zanu (PF) has used its control of the security forces and the judiciary to harass, abduct and torture those it considers opponents while Mugabes supporters have continued to violently invade commercial farms in total disregard of the rule of law.
In the last three months human rights activists attempting to facilitate public debate on past human rights violations have been specifically targeted and their activities barred by police.
In March armed police raided the Bulawayo Art Gallery and confiscated pictures showcasing the Gukurahundi massacres an 80s army crackdown carried out ostensibly to rid the southern Matabeleland and Midlands regions of armed dissidents opposed to Mugabes rule at a two-day exhibition before arresting local artiste Owen Maseko and the gallery manager, Vote Thebe.
The arrests came just a day after police swooped on Harare Art gallery and shut down a Zimbabwe Human Rights (ZimRights) exhibition showcasing pictures of violence unleashed on the MDC by Mugabes militia since the then opposition party was formed in the late 90s. Police arrested ZimRights national director Okay Machisa.
Between April 26 and 28, police in Masvingo, Gweru and Chinhoyi also stopped ZimRights exhibitions depicting organised violence and torture that followed the March 2008 elections. In Masvingo, ZimRights regional chairperson Joel Hita was arrested and detained overnight. He is still facing unspecified charges.
International rights groups say the year-old Harare government has made a few superficial reforms, which have resulted in little meaningful improvement for those who wish to express independent political views or to criticise official policy.
The EU and United States whose aid is essential to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery from a decade-long downturn have demanded broad political and democratic reforms before they can lift sanctions against Mugabe and his inner circle or provide funding for the unity government, which says it needs at least $10 billion for reconstruction.
Post published in: Analysis