ZIMBABWE Human Rights NGO Forum (NGO Forum) has recorded a total of 45 human rights violations related to elections set for next Wednesday.
These violations were recorded in Mutare, Harare, Mudzi, Muzarabani, Chitungwiza, Epworth, Mbare, Glenview, Hopley, Chiadzwa, Buhera, Shamva, Mt Darwin, Rushinga and Mazowe.
“Human rights violations at glance; assault and torture (eight), malicious damage to property (four), abduction (one), intimidation (12), arbitrary arrests (two), forced gatherings (18),” the weekly NGO Forum report released on Wednesday reads.
“Violations were perpetrated at a large scale, making computation impossible at the time of compilation of the report.
“The cited cases are individuals who were verified and documented by the Forum secretariat and Forum members.”
The NGO Forum has been releasing weekly updates on rights’ violations in the run up to the polls.
The organisation urged political parties and party supporters to practice a culture of peace and political tolerance.
An opposition Citizens Coalition for Change supporter, Tinashe Chitsunge, lost his life two weeks ago after he was stoned while fleeing a suspected Zanu PF mob as the country witnesses a surge in cases of political violence.
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for peace, but critics say there is no political will to tame the vice as seen in perpetrators not being arrested.
In a statement, the Presidential Centre for Women and Development said the rising cases of political violations were against the African Union (AU) and Zimbabwean normative frameworks for electoral integrity.
“We, therefore, join Zimbabweans and all Africans in demanding that electoral processes across our continent are peaceful, transparent, inclusive, and fair,” the women’s rights group said.
“The African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance requires that every African government must protect basic human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
“To this end, we urge the government of Zimbabwe and all political leaders to uphold the sanctity of the AU Shared Values, the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution, and the electoral process,” it said.
The organisation also called on government to review repressive laws and other measures that stifle the diverse citizens’ voices.
“Fair electoral processes depend on citizens freely attending campaign gatherings and rallies without repercussions and fear for their well-being. Equally, an impartial electoral body is the backbone of fair elections,” it said.
