News / National
31 cases of human rights violation recorded in 17 districts
10 Apr 2018 at 08:28hrs | Views
In the period under review (24 March- 01 April 2018), Heal Zimbabwe has recorded a total of 31 human rights violations from 17 districts.
The trust said three categories of human rights violations were recorded.
"These include intimidation (with threats of violence or threats of withdrawal of food aid or agricultural inputs), forced attendance to political gatherings and disrupted political gatherings. Intimidation recorded the highest number of violations constituting 94% (29 cases), forced attendance to political gatherings and disrupted gatherings recorded 3% each. The recorded human rights violations originated from the ZANU PF restructuring exercise, the emergence of new political parties and independent candidates, the collection of BVR serial numbers and the ongoing MDC alliance rallies," said the trust.
"Heal Zimbabwe observed that intimidation continuously topped the list of violations every week. In this report, intimidation recorded the highest number of cases with 29 cases. The cases of intimidation increased by 09 cases from the previous report which recorded 20 cases. Perpetrators continuously use intimidation as a tool to harness power and support for the ruling ZANU PF party ahead of the elections. Victims are repeatedly threatened with past violence, withdrawal of food aid and developmental benefits. Such threats lead to fearful communities who are not able to exercise their constitutionally provided rights. Section 67 of the constitution provides for citizens to participate in political activities of their choice and freely participate in elections without fear or victimisation. HZT in this regard perceive intimidation as a threat towards peace and social cohesion especially towards elections."
The trust said the violations were recorded from a total of 17 districts that are Chiredzi, Bikita, Gutu, Chivi, Mutoko, Murehwa, Nyanga, Makoni, Buhera, Kadoma, Chegutu, Mazowe, Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, Hurungwe, Zvimba and Gokwe South. Mazowe and Mt Darwin recorded the highest number of human rights cases with 7 and 6 cases respectively.
"The remaining districts recorded cases ranging from one to two. In this report, a total of 31 cases were recorded compared to 24 cases recorded in the previous report. Heal Zimbabwe observed that there is an increase of human rights violations as the nation approaches the 2018 elections," said the trust.
"The diagram above indicates the distribution of human rights cases across the provinces. Heal Zimbabwe recorded 31 human rights violations in 6 provinces which are Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East. Mashonaland Central recorded the highest number of human rights violations with 15 cases, constituting 48% of the total human rights violations recorded across the 6 provinces. Manicaland recorded the second highest number of human rights violations with 5 cases. Mashonaland West and Masvingo recorded 4 cases each. Mashonaland East and Midlands recorded the least with 2 cases and 1 case respectively. Heal Zimbabwe predicts an increase in human rights violations in the coming weeks as political parties intensify their campaigns across the provinces."
The trust said in the period under review a total of 46 perpetrators of violence (40 males and 6 females) were recorded.
"Heal Zimbabwe observed that the perpetrators multiplied almost by two compared to 28 perpetrators which were recorded in the previous week. Heal Zimbabwe recorded five categories of perpetrators who were involved in the human rights violations. These include ZANU PF leadership, Traditional leaders, Councillors, War veterans and soldiers," said the trust.
"ZANU PF leadership recorded the highest number of perpetrators with 56.5% (26 out of 46), largely ward chairpersons, and ordinary party members. Traditional leaders were second with 33% (15 perpetrators) followed by Councillors which recorded 7% (3 perpetrators). War veterans and soldiers recorded the least with 2% each (1 perpetrator). Victims varied from ordinary community members, opposition supporters and human right defenders."
The trust said three categories of human rights violations were recorded.
"These include intimidation (with threats of violence or threats of withdrawal of food aid or agricultural inputs), forced attendance to political gatherings and disrupted political gatherings. Intimidation recorded the highest number of violations constituting 94% (29 cases), forced attendance to political gatherings and disrupted gatherings recorded 3% each. The recorded human rights violations originated from the ZANU PF restructuring exercise, the emergence of new political parties and independent candidates, the collection of BVR serial numbers and the ongoing MDC alliance rallies," said the trust.
"Heal Zimbabwe observed that intimidation continuously topped the list of violations every week. In this report, intimidation recorded the highest number of cases with 29 cases. The cases of intimidation increased by 09 cases from the previous report which recorded 20 cases. Perpetrators continuously use intimidation as a tool to harness power and support for the ruling ZANU PF party ahead of the elections. Victims are repeatedly threatened with past violence, withdrawal of food aid and developmental benefits. Such threats lead to fearful communities who are not able to exercise their constitutionally provided rights. Section 67 of the constitution provides for citizens to participate in political activities of their choice and freely participate in elections without fear or victimisation. HZT in this regard perceive intimidation as a threat towards peace and social cohesion especially towards elections."
The trust said the violations were recorded from a total of 17 districts that are Chiredzi, Bikita, Gutu, Chivi, Mutoko, Murehwa, Nyanga, Makoni, Buhera, Kadoma, Chegutu, Mazowe, Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, Hurungwe, Zvimba and Gokwe South. Mazowe and Mt Darwin recorded the highest number of human rights cases with 7 and 6 cases respectively.
"The remaining districts recorded cases ranging from one to two. In this report, a total of 31 cases were recorded compared to 24 cases recorded in the previous report. Heal Zimbabwe observed that there is an increase of human rights violations as the nation approaches the 2018 elections," said the trust.
"The diagram above indicates the distribution of human rights cases across the provinces. Heal Zimbabwe recorded 31 human rights violations in 6 provinces which are Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East. Mashonaland Central recorded the highest number of human rights violations with 15 cases, constituting 48% of the total human rights violations recorded across the 6 provinces. Manicaland recorded the second highest number of human rights violations with 5 cases. Mashonaland West and Masvingo recorded 4 cases each. Mashonaland East and Midlands recorded the least with 2 cases and 1 case respectively. Heal Zimbabwe predicts an increase in human rights violations in the coming weeks as political parties intensify their campaigns across the provinces."
The trust said in the period under review a total of 46 perpetrators of violence (40 males and 6 females) were recorded.
"Heal Zimbabwe observed that the perpetrators multiplied almost by two compared to 28 perpetrators which were recorded in the previous week. Heal Zimbabwe recorded five categories of perpetrators who were involved in the human rights violations. These include ZANU PF leadership, Traditional leaders, Councillors, War veterans and soldiers," said the trust.
"ZANU PF leadership recorded the highest number of perpetrators with 56.5% (26 out of 46), largely ward chairpersons, and ordinary party members. Traditional leaders were second with 33% (15 perpetrators) followed by Councillors which recorded 7% (3 perpetrators). War veterans and soldiers recorded the least with 2% each (1 perpetrator). Victims varied from ordinary community members, opposition supporters and human right defenders."
Source - Byo24News
