[SN-ANNOUNCE] SANTOC Statement on Reports of the Intensification of Violent Attacks on Zimbabwean Citizens

[SANTOC]

TO ALL SANGONeT USERS 

SANTOC Statement on Reports of the Intensification of Violent Attacks on
Zimbabwean Citizens

Press Release 
12 May 2008

Noting that Zimbabweans held an election on March 29, 2008 to determine who
will lead their nation for the next five year term of office;

Noting that the outcomes of this election have been contested by the ruling
party since it was revealed that it had lost its majority in Parliament;

Noting that there has been an escalation of violent reprisal attacks on
Zimbabwean citizens who exercised their democratic right to express their
choice for a new dispensation;

We, organisations comprising the membership of the South African No Torture
Consortium (SANTOC), meeting at the Trauma Centre in Cape Town on May 5 and
6, 2008, hereby:

* Express our deep concern about the violence that is reported as being
systematically unleashed against ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe who have been
accused of betraying ZANU-PF by voting for an opposition party to represent
them in Parliament;

* Speak out against the ongoing erosion of the rule of law in Zimbabwe in an
era where there is a deepening of democratic consolidation in the region;

* Note the ongoing and intensifying flight of thousands of Zimbabweans from
their country of origin as a result of these violent attacks on their person
and property;

* Condemn unwarranted attacks on innocent citizens by persons acting with
the collusion and / or approval of officials of the Mugabe regime; and 

* Mourn the ongoing erosion of the human rights of every Zimbabwean to their
dignity and to the physical and psychological integrity of their bodies.

As a consortium of organisations working for the prevention of torture and
the rehabilitation of survivors of torture, we call on all sectors of
society in Southern Africa, public, private and civil society, to condemn
the severe suffering being intentionally inflicted on thousands of
Zimbabwean citizens.

We call on all the governments of the region to condemn the widespread
practice of torture in Zimbabwe and to work for the speedy adoption of the
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture in all the countries of
the region; and on all public officials in Zimbabwe to respect the outcome
of the recent elections and to bring to an end the 'reign of terror' being
conducted against the people of Zimbabwe.

This statement has been endorsed by the following organisations:
* Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
* Institute for Healing of Memories 
* Khulumani Support Group 
* The Southern African Centre for Survivors of Torture, and 
* The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture

Contact details of organisations for further information or for people
needing assistance:

* Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, TTP, Johannesburg:
(011) 403 5102
* Institute for Healing of Memories, Cape Town: 021 696 4230 /1
* Institute for the Healing of Memories, Durban: 031 700 1811
* Khulumani Support Group, National Contact Centre, Johannesburg: 011 403
4098 or 082 268 0223
* The Southern African Centre for Survivors of Torture, Johannesburg: 011
339 4476
* The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture, Cape Town: 021
465 7373