Zimbabwe: Rights Reform Vital to Lasting Stability
Power-Sharing Deal Should End Abuses, Bring Justice
Any transition to democracy following the power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe will remain fragile unless the political leadership takes steps to address human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. Any deal should immediately end ongoing violations and hold to account those responsible for past abuses.
“Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF must show their commitment to the power-sharing agreement by bringing about an immediate end to abuses,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “They should release political prisoners, dismantle torture camps set up around the elections and disarm ZANU-PF party members and its allies.”
September 15, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
South Africa's Human Rights Reputation Tarnished
By Carroll Bogert
Published in The Sunday Independent
As a member of the United Nations security council for two years, South Africa has had many opportunities to speak out forcefully for human rights - or to join those speaking out against them. Again and again, it has chosen the latter course.
September 7, 2008 Commentary
Printer friendly version
SADC: Adopt Gender and Development Protocol
Summit Leaders Should Act on Equality for Women
Southern African leaders should adopt the proposed Gender and Development Protocol at their upcoming summit after amending it to include crucial provisions deleted in 2007, Human Rights Watch said today. One of the most important provisions that should be put back in to the protocol would commit states to criminalize marital rape.
August 14, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
Before any resolution, Zimbabwe first needs justice
By Georgette Gagnon, Africa director
Published in The Independent
Talks in Zimbabwe aimed at breaking the political deadlock in that country cannot succeed unless the human rights violations that are the root cause of the crisis are addressed.
August 13, 2008 Commentary
Printer friendly version
SADC: Press Zimbabwe to End Abuses
Justice Key to Building Political Stability
Southern African leaders should make an end to the violence in Zimbabwe their top priority at the upcoming Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) summit in Johannesburg, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. On August 16, 2008, South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected to brief SADC leaders on the progress of negotiations between the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
August 12, 2008 Press Release
Also available in
Printer friendly version
“They Beat Me like a Dog”
Political Persecution of Opposition Activists and Supporters in Zimbabwe
 | This 19-page report describes ongoing abuses, including killings, beatings and arbitrary arrests, by ZANU-PF and its allies against MDC members of parliament, activists and supporters before and after the June 27 presidential runoff election. Hundreds of MDC activists who fled the violence in the weeks before the vote remain in hiding, while armed ZANU-PF supporters and government-backed “war veterans” and “youth militia” continue to terrorize villagers in the rural areas, the report found. The government has made little effort to dismantle the torture camps and bases established by ZANU-PF and its allies since the first round of elections on March 29. |
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-370-6
August 12, 2008 Report
Download PDF, 153 KB, 22 pgs
Purchase online
Read Press Release
An illegitimate president
By Tiseke Kasambala, Senior Researcher, Africa Division, Human Rights Watch
Published in New Statesman Online
African leaders must do more to end the repression in Zimbabawe and must place the responsibility for the violence firmly on Robert Mugabe’s doorstep.
July 7, 2008 Commentary
Printer friendly version
A long record of torture
By Gerry Simpson, Researcher and Advocate, Refugee Policy
Published in New Statesman Online
Many Zimbabweans fleeing to South Africa since 2005 – possibly numbering tens of thousands – have escaped persecution. They are refugees, although South Africa’s dysfunctional asylum system has yet to recognize them as such.
July 4, 2008 Commentary
Printer friendly version
African Union: Reject Result in Zimbabwe’s Sham Election
Sanction Leaders, Press for Peacekeepers to End Violence
African states should impose sanctions against Robert Mugabe and his illegitimate government in Zimbabwe after the sham presidential runoff, Human Rights Watch said today. The situation in Zimbabwe, where government violence against opposition supporters continued even after the vote on June 27, 2008, will be on the agenda at the African Union summit in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, on June 30 and July 1.
June 28, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
Zimbabwe: African Leaders Should Reject Zimbabwe’s Elections
African Union Should Act to Stop Violence, Enable Democratic Reforms
The African Union should not endorse Zimbabwe’s sham presidential runoff election on June 27, Human Rights Watch said today. African Union leaders should intervene to bring an immediate end to massive state-sponsored human rights abuses and enable democratic reform.
June 24, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
Assume hard stance on Zim
By Jon Elliott, Advocacy Director, Africa Division, Human Rights Watch
Published in Mmegi Online
At the end of May 2008, Human Rights Watch calculated the tally of misery and abuse in Zimbabwe since its 29 March elections: at least 36 dead; hundreds tortured; thousands beaten; and tens of thousands deprived of food or displaced.
June 24, 2008 Commentary
Printer friendly version
Neighbors In Need
Zimbabweans Seeking Refuge in South Africa
 | This 119-page report examines South Africa’s decision to treat Zimbabweans merely as voluntary economic migrants and its failure to respond effectively to stop the human rights abuses and economic deprivation in Zimbabwe that cause their flight and to address their needs in South Africa. Human Rights Watch spoke to almost 100 Zimbabweans in South Africa about their plight. |
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-343-9
June 19, 2008 Report
Download PDF, 451 KB, 119 pgs
Purchase online
Read Press Release
South Africa: Grant Temporary Status to All Zimbabweans
Government Should Halt Deportations, Allow Right to Work
The South African government should recognize that political repression and economic deprivation have forced Zimbabweans to flee their country and immediately stop deporting them, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Human Rights Watch called on the government to grant Zimbabweans in South Africa temporary status and work rights.
June 19, 2008 Press Release
Also available in
Printer friendly version
South Africa: Grant Temporary Status to All Zimbabweans
 | The South African government should recognize that political repression and economic deprivation have forced Zimbabweans to flee their country and immediately stop deporting them. Human Rights Watch called on the government to grant Zimbabweans in South Africa temporary status and work rights. |
June 19, 2008 Graphic
Zimbabwe: Crackdown Intensifies on Opposition Leaders and NGOs
International Election Observers Should Report Publicly on Abuses
The state’s escalating crackdown on leaders of the opposition and nongovernmental organizations is further evidence that Zimbabwe’s June 27 presidential runoff will not be free and fair, Human Rights Watch said today.
June 13, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
“Bullets for Each of You”
State-Sponsored Violence since Zimbabwe’s March 29 Elections
 | This 69-page report documents numerous incidents of abductions, beatings, torture, and killings by officials and supporters of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the armed forces and police, “war veterans,” and youth militia against MDC activists and perceived MDC supporters. Human Rights Watch has confirmed at least 36 politically motivated deaths and 2,000 victims of violence. The report also examines the Zimbabwean government’s role in perpetrating and inciting the violence for political gain, and its failure to end the violence and prosecute those responsible. Human Rights Watch researchers conducted more than 70 interviews with victims and eyewitnesses to the violence since March in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. |
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-324-2
June 9, 2008 Report
Download PDF, 798 KB, 72 pgs
Purchase online
Read Press Release
Zimbabwe: Runoff Vote Will Be ‘Dead on Arrival’
Senior Officials Implicated in Political Violence
The Zimbabwean government’s campaign of violence and intimidation against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has extinguished any chance of a free and fair presidential runoff on June 27, 2008, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Human Rights Watch urged the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to use its influence and push President Robert Mugabe to take immediate steps to end the violence and hold those responsible to account.
June 6, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
Statement on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council's Attention
Human Rights Watch's Statement to the Human Rights Council
Human Rights Watch brings the human rights situations in Somalia, Ethiopia, China, and Zimbabwe to the Council's attention during the June session's General Debate (agenda item 4).
June 6, 2008 Oral Statement
Printer friendly version
South Africa: Protect Victims of Xenophobic Violence
Provide Basics of Food, Water, Shelter, and Safety to Displaced
The South African government should ensure that “temporary shelter sites” for homeless and traumatized victims of recent xenophobic violence comply with international standards, Human Rights Watch said today. The UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement require states to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and security to displaced persons.
June 5, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
UN: Open AIDS Meeting to All
General Assembly Should Reverse Ban on Human Rights and Sexual Health Groups
The United Nations General Assembly should reverse its decision to exclude three human rights and sexual health nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from its June 10 high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, a coalition of human rights groups and international AIDS organizations said today.
June 5, 2008 Press Release
Printer friendly version
|
|
