ZIMBABWE is experiencing a surge in polarisation and violence, as human rights abuses continue to escalate across the country, with a total of 198 human rights violations documented, affecting 3 727 victims, a report has revealed.
Calls by civil society organisations and human rights defenders on government to ratify the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment have been ignored.
A report by Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) indicated that there was an alarming rise in political polarisation, violence and human rights abuses, with political affiliates and State institutions perpetrating most of these violations.
According to the report, political violence and human rights abuses have become pervasive, with the ruling party, Zanu PF, and its affiliates implicated in a significant proportion of the violations.
The report revealed that perpetrators affiliated to Zanu PF accounted for 41,1% of documented abuses, while members of its other affiliate, Forever Associates Zimbabwe, were responsible for 2,26%.
However, Zanu PF director of information Farai Marapira said ZPP had failed to be an objective player in the politics of Zimbabwe.
“The arrest of people who break the law is neither a clampdown nor a human right abuse. It is observance of the law and we have one of the best law bodies and Constitutions in the world.
“It is interesting that they have religiously failed to comment on the violence and lack of democratic morals in the opposition. It is in fact a very telling circumstance of their partisan approach to issues,” he said.
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Marapira said Zanu PF did not regard the ZPP report seriously but viewed the group as an agenda-driven entity and useless to the furtherance of our country's ideals.
According to the report, members of the security forces, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (24,56%) and State security agents (2,76%), were also among the top perpetrators.
“Other perpetrators included Municipal Police (11,78%), traditional leaders (7,77%), members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (3,01%), war veterans (0,75%), vendors (2,01%), individuals with no known affiliation (4,01%), ZRP (25,01%) and Zanu PF 41,3% ,” the report read.
ZPP said the situation was dire in specific regions, with Manicaland province recording the highest number of human rights abuses (34), followed by Harare (30) and Mashonaland Central (29),” the report said.
“The highest number of human rights abuses (34) occurred in Manicaland province, followed by Harare (30) and Mashonaland Central (29).”
The report indicated that July was a dark month, with so many cases of human rights violations recorded.
“The month of July concluded on a sombre note, marked by a resurgence of historical political and institutional violence against citizens and human rights defenders in Zimbabwe.
“A total of 198 human rights violations were documented, affecting 3 727 victims, with 27 instances of assault and unlawful detention.
“Notably, 90 violations involved intimidation and harassment, among other egregious abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Earlier this year, Zimbabwe was ranked among the world’s worst performers in terms of human freedom, according to the Human Freedom Index.
The country was ranked 153 out of 165 countries with analysts saying the report aptly captured the country’s human rights situation.
