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Campaign of Terror Unleashed in Zimbabwe

In the aftermath of the March 29, 2008 elections, President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party has unleashed a wave of political violence designed to cow opposition members and supporters into submission and deter them from participating or voting their conscience in a possible runoff election. Soldiers, police, war veterans and youth militia loyal to the ruling party have been deployed in rural areas throughout Zimbabwe to systematically intimidate voters through killings, beatings, looting of property, burning of homes and public humiliation. Women, children and the elderly have not been spared. Civil society groups, particularly those involved in election monitoring, and humanitarian organizations charged with providing desperately needed food assistance also have been targeted.

Victims (below statistics are as of May 5, 2008)

. Over 700 documented victims have required medical treatment for post-election violence-related injuries, including over 200 requiring hospitalization and surgical procedures. Many more victims are undocumented and there are increasing reports that government authorities are preventing victims from accessing medical treatment.

. At least eighteen deaths have been confirmed.

. Victims have suffered severe beatings, fractured bones and severe burns.

. Hundreds of opposition supporters have fled their homes in fear. Homes and businesses throughout rural areas have been burned and cattle and other livestock slaughtered.

. At least 6,735 persons have been displaced.

. On April 25, police raided the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party headquarters and took over 100 persons into custody. The detainees were later released.

. Credible reports indicate the military has established torture bases across the country.

. More than 130 white-owned commercial farms have come under siege by angry mobs; out of these, some 30 farmers have been forced to abandon their properties.

. Reports indicate women and girls have been sexually assaulted.

. Government security forces have raided civil society offices, confiscating computers and files, destroying property and intimidating staff.

. Police raided the offices of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, the independent organization that monitored the March 29th election.

. Government security forces beat more than 50 members of the civil society organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise, for participation in a pro-democracy protest on May 5; 11 persons were arrested.

Source: U.S. Department of State

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com