ULTIMAS DO ZIMBABWE

Dear Friends,



The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum released its January 2009 Monthly Political Violence Report on 27.2.09. The report shows that the month of January saw a marked decrease in the number of cases of politically motivated violence as compared to December 2008 as well as the months prior to the June 2008 Presidential Election Run-off. However, it is important to note that the figures of violations recorded in this report are not substantive as actual numbers of victims were not indicated in some of the incidences. The violence that characterised the month of January was mainly property-related, reportedly perpetrated by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) as compared to the inter-party violence that was characteristic of January 2008. The report will shortly be available on the Forum's website but until such time, we attach it here.

The Forum is extremely concerned about the recent wave of farm invasions ostensibly with the tacit support of certain government officials. Land invasions in 2000 resulted in loss of lives. New invasions are potentially violent and the Forum challenges the new administration to ensure that these invasions are stopped.

On a more positive note, the Forum welcomes the release, yesterday, 2.03.09 of Jestina Mukoko, our Board Member and the Director of our member organisation, the Zimbabwe Peace Project. We wish Jestina all the best for a speedy recovery after a long incarceration and hope that her release will be shortly followed by that of the other political prisoners. A press statement on the release of Jestina by Reporters Without Borders can be read at the following web link:

_http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=30458_


On 27.2.09, our member organisation Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) released a report on the land invasions entitled /Mindset and Actions of State Representatives Must Change if there is to Be a Return to the Rule of Law. /ZLHR has expressed deep concern about the conduct of representatives of the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Justice and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), as well as that of the Attorney-General and the Chief Magistrate with regard to issues relating to the handling of land matters around the country especially where an Applicant has a meeting with the prosecution and the Magistracy and questions whether this does not compromise the independence of the judiciary. The full statement can be viewed via the following link:

_http://www.zlhr.org.zw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=122 _



Yesterday, 2.03.09 saw the release on bail of five activists from our member organisation, Women of Zimbabwe Arise, after six days in custody. The full report can be read on-line at the WOZA website via the following web link: _http://wozazimbabwe.org/_


Our member organisation, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) issued a Media Alert yesterday, 2.03.09 with news of the launch of a new Zimbabwean Radio Station broadcasting from the Emirates. Further information about 'Zimbabwe Community Radio' can be found at: _http://www.misazim.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=471&Itemid=1 _

On 27 February 2009, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) released a report, /Compliance Assessment of the GPA against the SADC Principles and Guidelines for Free and Fair Elections. /The report shows how ZESN is undertaking the monitoring the implementation of the GPA, gauging the level of sincerity of the political parties in terms of representing the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabweans for the promotion of democracy and good governance against the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Democratic Elections. We attach the report.


-- International Liaison Office
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
56-64 Leonard Street
London EC2A 4LT
Tel. +4...
Email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com
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The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has been in existence since January 1998 when non-governmental orgainsiations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide legal and psychological assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January 1998. The Forum consists of 16 Zimbabwean human rights organisations. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services through the Public Interest Unit of the Legal Resources Foundation from the Headquarters in Harare, in addition to the information service that is offered internationally from the International Liaison Office. The International Liaison Office of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO in an effort to ensure the widest possible coverage for our reports, constantly updates and adds to the email addresses on our list using member organisations' contact lists or other sources. If you would like to have your name removed from the list, please send an email to zimhrforum@btconnect.com with the word 'unsubscribe' in the subject field.