US still worried about rule Of law abuse in Zimbabwe

In a statement made available to The Zimbabwean the US said it commends the Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, prosecutors, judges, and magistrates who served their "country through diligent investigations and due process to ensure the integrity of the rule of law in such cases'.

"At the same time, the United States is concerned by other recent cases that suggest excesses and a continued partisan bias on the part of law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the conduct of their duties," the US said in its statement.

It said, however, that it is still extremely worried about several other issues such as –

"The US is alarmed by the September 23 death of Tsorosai Kusena and the beating of three other individuals allegedly at the hands of ZRP officers at a police base in Marange after having been taken from their village by private guards from a local diamond concession.

The unrestrained show of violence and extortion along political lines around Harare by the Zanu PF-allied Chipangano gang fosters an unacceptable environment of fear and intimidation that will only perpetuate violence and undermine the peace and stability which the police are sworn to protect.

"The US is concerned about persistent reports of harassment, targeting, and heavy handed tactics used by police officers in arresting civil society activists– most recently leaders from Women of Zimbabwe Arise on September 22 – and MDC-T leaders and supporters as they conduct civil demonstrations or peaceful political activities.

"The reported occupation of city council or privately owned properties in Harare and Bulawayo, and of foreign owned companies in Masvingo, by youths acting in the name of Zanu PF fundamentally undermine constitutionally-assured property rights, investor confidence, and Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.

"The routine invocation of Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act to hold politically-oriented and civil society detainees despite judicial rulings granting them bail nullifies judicial checks on the excesses of the executive and suggest a strong partisan bias from the Attorney General’s Office."

The US Embassy said if left unchallenged, actions such as these would lend credence to public perceptions of Zanu PF as a political party committed to violence and intimidation unconstrained by the laws of Zimbabwe.

"They further paint the police force and prosecutors as serving the interests of that party, rather than the Zimbabwean people or the state," the US said.

"The US calls on the Zanu PF leadership to insist that party members and supporters abide strictly by the laws of the country and to hold accountable those members who violate President Mugabe’s directive against violence. We further call on the Government of Zimbabwe– particularly the Zimbabwe Republic Police, state prosecutors, and judicial officers- to investigate scrupulously and accord expeditious due process in these and all cases of alleged abuse or violations of the rule of law."

The US said as the Government of Zimbabwe was scheduled to appear before the Human Rights Council’s Universal Period Review from October 13 to 14, "we ask that it honour the pledge made in its submission, namely to uphold and protect human rights principles and to promote international and domestic instruments in the advancement of these principles".