ULTIMAS DO ZIMBABWE

Dear Friends,

As Zimbabwe marks its 28th Independence Day, the escalation of post-election violence in Zimbabwe is the subject of another statement, issued yesterday, 18.4.08, by the member organisation Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR). ZADHR statement notes that as at the close of day on April 17th, they have documented a total number of 242 cases of organised violence and torture. This represents an increase of 85 cases since their last count (totalling 157 cases) reported in their statement of 15.4.08. ZADHR notes several reports of deaths which they are unable to confirm, except in the case of one victim who died multiple stab wounds. ZADHR believes these cases suggest a disturbing trend of systematic violent assault and torture.

We attach two statements issued late yesterday, 17.4.08 by our member organisation, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) issued two statements on the latest developments in Zimbabwe.
- The first focuses on the violent retributive action by state agents against innocent Zimbabweans. They report that at least 150 people have been arrested and are currently in custody in Harare Central police station alone. ZLHR also documents a number of abductions of individuals from their homes by members of the military as well as the ZANU PF youth and militia.
- The second concerns the intention of the Zimbabwe Electoral commission to continue with the proposed recounts of the election results in 23 constituencies which is due to take place tomorrow 19.4.08. ZLHR argue that this will be unlawful and in contempt of court.

There are also two other statements from the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ). The first is the Prime-time Daily Monitoring Report No. 29, and the second is the MMPZ Daily Media Update No.29 which focuses on two stories in the state newspapers which MMPZ raises serious doubts around.

On the eve of Independence Day, the Secretary General of Amnesty International issued an appeal yesterday, 17.4.08, an end to the state-sponsored violence yesterday, 17.4.08. Amnesty makes direct appeals to President Robert Mugabe, the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Police, the Chair of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and the Heads of states and governments of the Southern African Development Community.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR46/009/2008

The Southern African Legal Assistance Network (SALAN) issued the attached press statement on Zimbabwe on 17.4.08. SALAN joins the regional and international community in noting with great concern the disturbing developments in Zimbabwe and make a number of demands regarding the delay in the announcement of the Presidential election results, and the need for all stakeholders to respect the results as well as a message of solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe .

The Namibian Society for Human Rights (NSHR) have today, 18.4.08 issued a Press Release which calls on the International Community to refrain from calling on Zimbabwe to release the results of the presidential election, and instead, just ‘reject Mugabe and his unelected government outright’.

Further to news reports about the shipment of arms docked in South Africa and bound for Zimbabwe , we attach a News Release, issued today by the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC). SALC states that an urgent application is being brought in South Africa ’s High Court to suspend the grant of conveyance permit allowing the transport of arms to the government of Zimbabwe .

From Zimbabwe , the Youth Forum released an Independence Day Message yesterday, 17.4.08 congratulating all Zimbabweans on the 28th anniversary of national independence but voicing strong concern about the violence around the country which they describe as an attempt to subvert and subjugate the legitimate verdict of the people. Please read their statement attached here.

In what they are calling Operation Talk Talk African Union (AU) on the delay in issuing the results of the Presidential election held March 29 the militant radical pressure group Free-Zim Youth and Zimbabwe Action Group (ZAG) in a joint operation ambushed H.E Dr Ali Mohamed Shein-Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania in London whilst addressing the Tanzanian Diaspora Investment and Skills Forum. Pictures and a video of the incident are available, please contact Free-Zim Youth directly if you are interested.