Human Rights First is extremely concerned for the safety of human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament, David Coltart, and other members of the political opposition in Zimbabwe. Mob violence in the city of Bulawayo, directed against members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the main opposition party, has forced Mr. Coltart into hiding. Reports indicate that many homes and buildings connected to the MDC have been set on fire and people on the streets of Bulawayo have been attacked. As well as being a member of the MDC, David Coltart is a prominent and well-respected human rights lawyer who has campaigned for many years to improve access to legal services and to uphold the basic rights of everyone in Zimbabwe.

MDC leaders, including party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, have come under threat in the context of worsening political violence in Zimbabwe. On November 15 Mr. Coltart was detained by police in Harare and then released after two hours.

Recent statements made by Vice-President Joseph Msika and other government officials appeared to incite violent action against members of the MDC. The Vice-President is quoted as having said, “if they [the MDC] want a bloodbath, they will certainly get it.”   Zanu PF has alleged that MDC members are responsible for the abduction and murder of Cain Nkala – chairman of the Bulawayo war veterans association - earlier this month. The war veterans association is an armed militia closely associated with the ruling Zanu PF party. The MDC denies any responsibility for Mr. Nkala’s murder.

Human Rights First believes that David Coltart, Morgan Tsvangirai and their colleagues are being targeted for threats, detention and physical attack as part of a crackdown on the political opposition in Zimbabwe prior to elections scheduled for March 2002. Threats and violent acts against members of the political opposition and human rights activists, whether committed by government officials or agents under their control, constitute serious violations of internationally recognized human rights norms. Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Zimbabwe is a party, provides that everyone has the right to take part in public affairs, and to vote and be elected in periodic elections. The ICCPR also protects the rights to freedom of expression and association, to liberty and security of person and to be free from arbitrary detention. 

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Human Rights First calls upon President Mugabe and his government to act urgently to prevent further threats and attacks against David Coltart, Morgan Tsvangirai and members of the MDC who are engaged in peaceful political activity. The government must create an environment of respect for basic human rights and ensure that acts of political violence are stopped.  In addition, there must be a full investigation into all acts of political violence and all those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with the rule of law.