The Zimbabwe government is called upon by UN human rights experts to immediately put an end to a reported pattern of disappearances and torture that appear aimed at suppressing protests and dissent against the ruling authority.
The call comes after three female members of the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were stopped at a police checkpoint in Harare and subsequently abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted.
The victims – Joanna Mamombe, who is also a member of parliament, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marovawere on their way to a protest organised on May 13, 2020 by the Alliance Youth Assembly of the MDC.
After almost 48 hours, the three women were dumped in a marketplace. They were immediately hospitalised to be treated for the injuries they sustained while they were abducted.
While still recuperating in a hospital, they were charged with violating COVID-19 regulations on public gatherings and for purportedly intending to promote public violence and breach of peace.
“The charges against the three women should be dropped,” the UN experts said. “Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.”
The experts called on the authorities of Zimbabwe to “urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime, and to immediately enforce a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for abductions and torture throughout the country” to ensure the effective protection of women against sexual violence, and to bring those responsible to account.
The experts expressed grave alarm over concerns this was not an isolated instance. In 2019 alone, 49 cases of abductions and torture were reported in Zimbabwe, without investigations leading to perpetrators being held to account.
“Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity, but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures,” the experts said.
“Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice,” the experts said.
They also urged the government to allow official visits of UN human rights experts with a view to assessing the human rights situation in the country. (Source: OHCHR)