Observers from the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) in Mutyandaedza Village, Mt Darwin East constituency (Mashonaland Central province) are reportedly under attack from suspected supporters from the ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) for allegedly facilitating an MDC victory in the March 2008 elections. The observers have been in hiding in the hills and the bush since the attacks began on 11 May 2008 and have had to walk long distances to find transport to seek refuge in Harare and other towns.

The attacks are reported to have been instigated by a local ruling party official in the area as well as “war veterans”. ZESN election observers and their relatives have been harassed, assaulted, had their homes vandalised and their property looted. Four observers and two of their relatives sustained serious injuries as a result of the attacks. The six have been hospitalised and their conditions are said to be serious but stable.

On 12 May police moved into the village to investigate. However, no one has been arrested in connection with the attacks or the looting despite the fact that there are witnesses who can identify their assailants.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send letters immediately. Please write to the Officer in Charge of Mount Darwin police station and the Officer Commanding Mashonaland Central Province:

• Call on them to ensure that suspected perpetrators of all human rights abuses, including those against election observers from the Zimbabwe Election Support Network in Mt. Darwin East constituency, are immediately brought to justice in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness. Allegations against those suspected to be involved in abuses should be promptly, independently and impartially investigated and victims should be awarded full reparations in accordance with international standards;
• Call on them to bring an immediate end to human rights abuses being perpetrated directly or condoned by police officers;
• Urge them to ensure that police officers operate in a non-partisan manner and respect human rights law. Police officers should act to prevent human rights abuses, not perpetrate them or allow a climate of impunity for others who may be responsible.
• Mention that under international law the government has an obligation to criminalize and to prosecute all acts of torture, including any act that constitutes complicity or participation in torture. Failure to prevent torture carried out by subordinates may entail criminal responsibility. You can indicate in your letter that international law permits any state in the world to exercise universal jurisdiction over all acts of torture, including attempts to commit torture, complicity in torture and participation in torture.
• Urge them to ensure that police officers under their command act in a manner that is consistent with regional and international standards of police conduct, including the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (SARPCCO) Code of Conduct for Police Officials, the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment.

 

Addresses:

Mashonaland Central Provincial Commanding Officer
P. O. Box 120
Bindura
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 71 6200

Officer-in-Charge
Mount Darwin Police Station
P. O. Box 98
Mt. Darwin
Zimbabwe

 

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