Zim intensifies torture of opponents: HRW

HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has intensified its use of torture and arbitrary arrests to suppress opposition to President Robert Mugabe’s 26-year rule, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released yesterday.

“When Zimbabweans engage in peaceful protest, the government responds with brutal repression,” said Georgette Gagnon, deputy Africa director of the New York-based rights group and co-author of the new 28-page report. “The authorities use torture, arbitrary arrest and detention to deter activists from engaging in their right to freely assemble and express their views.”Mugabe’s government has often faced accusations by Western governments and other rights groups such as Amnesty International of oppressing its opponents.HRW said rights abuses were on the increase as the economic and political situation in the southern African nation continued its downward spiral.The report in particular highlighted the treatment of trade unionists who took part in a protest last month whose organisers are now on trial.”Riot police armed with batons stopped the march, asked the activists to sit down, and proceeded to beat them one at a time with batons before ordering them to leave,” said the report.A doctor, Reginald Machaba Hove, who examined some of those arrested told the report’s authors that he was shocked by the extent of their injuries at the hands of the security services.”I have never seen anything like this before.They were denied medical access for more than 24 hours.”The beating was so callous and hard,” he said.The president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) also detailed the treatment he received during one five-day stint in police detention in May.Nampa-AP”The authorities use torture, arbitrary arrest and detention to deter activists from engaging in their right to freely assemble and express their views.”Mugabe’s government has often faced accusations by Western governments and other rights groups such as Amnesty International of oppressing its opponents.HRW said rights abuses were on the increase as the economic and political situation in the southern African nation continued its downward spiral.The report in particular highlighted the treatment of trade unionists who took part in a protest last month whose organisers are now on trial.”Riot police armed with batons stopped the march, asked the activists to sit down, and proceeded to beat them one at a time with batons before ordering them to leave,” said the report.A doctor, Reginald Machaba Hove, who examined some of those arrested told the report’s authors that he was shocked by the extent of their injuries at the hands of the security services.”I have never seen anything like this before.They were denied medical access for more than 24 hours.”The beating was so callous and hard,” he said.The president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) also detailed the treatment he received during one five-day stint in police detention in May.Nampa-AP