Feature: Zimbabwean justice
Men whose legs were broken during state-sponsored violence in the period before the presidential election run-off (Amnesty International)
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Friday, 31, Oct 2008 07:46
inthenews.co.uk discovers why Zimbabwe can never move on from a year to forget until those responsible for human rights abuses are held to account.
When Robert Mugabe announce in June that foreign aid organisations had to leave Zimbabwe, relief agencies had to take stock of their operations in the stricken country.
Although the ban was lifted three months later, the confidence of aid agencies was knocked.
Simeon Mawanza of Amnesty International UK was among those re-evaluating his role in the Zimbabwean crisis.
For security reasons the human rights group does not actively campaign in the southern African country, which is also the reason why a major new report from Amnesty International is today being presented in neighbouring South Africa.
Speaking ahead of the publication of the report - which warns that the future of the Zimbabwean people rests on a knife-edge - Mr Mawanza told inthenews.co.uk that human rights abuses were being set aside amid further negotiations to shore up the country's future.
Zimbabwe timeline
 | March 29th: Presidential elections take place, with Robert Mugabe facing the strongest challenge to his 28-year rule in the shape Morgan Tsvangirai's candidacy
April: Zimbabwe electoral commission says 'irregularities' mean the election results will be delayed
May 2nd: Mr Tsvangirai awarded 47.9 per cent of the vote and Mr Mugabe 43.2 per cent as both men miss out on 50 per cent share needed to avoid a run-off, scheduled for the end of June
May to June: Politically-motivated violence escalates, with MDC supporters, as well as their families, being targeted by Zanu-PF activists
June 22nd: Mr Tsvangirai announces he is withdrawing from the poll as the death-toll among his supporters exceeds 100
June 27th: Mr Mugabe stands unopposed and wins 85.5 per cent of the vote
July: Power-sharing talks begin to create workable governance of Zimbabwe. Although Mr Mugabe is re-elected as president the MDC has more MPs in parliament than Zanu-PF for the first time |
July to September: Talks continue amid growing international concern
September 15th: Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai sign an historic power-sharing deal that sees the former remain as president and the latter become prime minister
September: Cracks appear in the agreement when Zanu-PF and the MDC are unable to agree on the allocation of key ministries
October: Zimbabwe's central bank admits that inflation has hit 231 million per cent as aid agencies warn of worsening food crisis
Fight for justice
Mr Mawanza told inthenews.co.uk that the future of Zimbabwe, not just the power-sharing talks, hinged on an end to the impunity that the perpetrators of human rights abuses continue to enjoy.
"It is very clear who these people are to bring them to justice," he told inthenews from Johannesburg. "In committing their violations of human rights they felt assured that they would never be brought to justice.
"The lasting solution to the current crisis is to prioritise justice.
"The Zimbabwean authorities must ensure that the victims of the recent violence do not have their right to justice taken away by the mediation process.
"This is the important thing in the context of the ongoing dialogue, that the government sees it should prioritise issues of impunity."
In the build-up to the second presidential contest, which Mr Tsvangirai was forced to withdraw from, 180 people were killed by pro-Mugabe militia, many of the aggressors operating under the remit of government security forces.
During the same time more than 9,000 people sought medical assistance following torture and beatings, while 28,000 were displaced.
Many of the victims of the human rights abuse, which Amnesty International maintains is still rampant, were more than happy to share their experiences.
Clara, a 32-year-old from Gutu, said she was assaulted for being an MDC activist.
"At night a group of about 200 Zanu-PF supporters came to my home and demanded to see me and [my sister]," she told Amnesty International.
"They ordered us to come out. When we didn't they started breaking doors. They went through each and every room in the house until they got to the room where I was sleeping. On that day I was not feeling well. I was five months pregnant at the time.
"They dragged me outside and started hitting me with thick sticks. They accused me of being misled by Morgan Tsvangirai. They said they wanted to teach me a lesson."
CM, an MDC director for elections in a Mashonaland Central district, told Amnesty International his home was attacked days before the second vote when he refused to join Zanu-PF.
"I first heard dogs barking," he said. "I looked through the window and saw my home surrounded. They knocked on the door and ordered me to come out and accompany them to the camp but I refused. I saw them going to the chicken run and the goats' pen and they found nothing. I recognised some of them...
"They said that it was the end of me. Then they started stoning the door and forced it to open but I did not come out. Then they started stoning the whole house and it started to collapse, while we were still in the house. I then decided to run, but only managed to run for about 50m and they caught me.
"They started beating me with metal bars breaking both my legs. They said they wanted to kill me to force a by-election. I then passed out."
Mr Mawanza told inthenews.co.uk that he heard similar stories throughout Zimbabwe.
"Victims did not need to be encouraged to speak to us... most of them are demanding justice. They wanted their stories to be told," he said.
"The cry for justice is not only coming from international organisations but from within Zimbabwe. That voice is not going to be quietened."
Power-sharing now
As well as the wider international community, Amnesty International wants neighbouring countries and regional bodies to answer its call for justice in Zimbabwe.
"We are not only concerned about long-term issues but the immediate needs of victims," Mr Mawanza explains, referring to victims in need of counselling and rehabilitation, as well as farmers unable to feed their families with broken legs.
"They can't wait for the politicians to end their bickering... they need humanitarian assistance.
"The ban has already been lifted [but] what we hear from human rights organisations that the distribution of food is not covering everyone.
"Those who are affected by the 2008 violence, they are being ignored, they fear reprisals in their own communities.
"The security situation is still a cause of concern for us, many people are still in hiding and scared about returning to their communities."
Observers have already highlighted the impossible position the MDC and Mr Tsvangirai find themselves in. Although the party wants to bring the perpetrators of human rights abuse to justice, it is officially in partnership with a Zanu-PF party which has said it will pull out of any power-sharing agreement if its legislators, members or supporters are prosecuted.
"All political parties must recognise the right of victims to an effective right to justice," Mr Mawanza cautioned.
"We are calling on politicians not to take any measures that will take away Zimbabwean's liberties.
"Anyone in Zimbabwe who was behind the violence, MDC or Zanu-PF, needs to be investigated and brought to justice.
But Mr Mawanza insists revenge is far from the minds of the victims of violence witnessed in Zimbabwe this year.
"This is not about retribution justice, this is about correcting what was done in the past, with the victims at the centre.
"We understand that this is very difficult given the long history of violence.
"Politicians need to realise this is about people suffering... we must end their suffering."
Simeon Mawanza was talking to Matthew Champion. Nqobani Ndlovu also contributed to this report