The human rights situation in Zimbabwe deteriorated yet further throughout 2003 as the ruling Zanu-PF party sought to crush the political opposition and silence human rights and civil society organisations. Strikes and demonstrations organised by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), as well as by trade unions and civil society groups were met with a strong response, and hundreds of protesters were arrested. Government sponsored militias continued their campaign of violence and intimidation and reports of torture and physical mistreatment in detention were widespread. The independent press was also targeted and the last remaining independent daily newspaper, the Daily News, was shut down by the police after an unsuccessful court challenge to the constitutionality of new press laws.

Lawyers who seek to represent detained MDC leaders and other activists are routinely obstructed in their work, and are often themselves subjected to harassment and intimidation. Human Rights First is extremely concerned by reports of such incidents, including the torture of Gabriel Shumba in January, the physical assault of Gugulethu Moyo and Beatrice Mtetwa in March and October respectively, and the detention for several hours of Kossam Ncube and Travor Ndebele in Bulawayo in June.

Over the past several years, a serious crisis for human rights and the rule of law has been developing in Zimbabwe. Since elections held in 2000, when the MDC won a significant number of parliamentary seats, the crisis has deepened. The government of President Robert Mugabe has adopted a range of tactics to stifle political dissent and restrict basic freedoms.

In recent months, political violence and intimidation around the country has worsened. Armed militias and youth gangs have been employed to carry out land seizures and attacks on MDC supporters and members of civil society. In early 2002, legislation was passed that prevented the MDC from campaigning effectively for the March presidential elections and this legislation continues to be used to stifle criticism of the government or the organizing of peaceful protests.

In the 1980s, Human Rights First had engaged in research and advocacy concerning human rights in Zimbabwe. This work resulted in the publication of the Wages of War report, that revealed details of massacres carried out in the Matabeleland region. While no program work had been conducted more recently in the country, in late 2001 reports of attacks upon and threats against human rights defenders and political leaders, some of whom were our partners during the 1980s, led to action by the Human Rights Defender Project. We continue to monitor such threats and attacks and to advocate strongly for the ending of all human rights abuses and the restoration of the rule of law in Zimbabwe.