In the weeks immediately after the June 2008 presidential elections, AIDS-Free World received an urgent call from a Harare-based organisation. They were overwhelmed with reports from women associated with the MDC, who had been raped by members of President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF). In response, AIDS-Free World undertook a
What emerged from the testimony was a brutal, orchestrated campaign of rape and torture perpetrated by Mugabes Zanu (PF) youth militia, agents of Zimbabwes Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), and people who identify themselves as veterans of the liberation war (known as war veterans) affiliated with Zanu (PF).
The exceptionally violent rapes, as described by women from every province of Zimbabwe, were often nearly fatal. Survivors terror was prolonged by fears that their attackers were among the 15 per cent of adults infected with HIV in Zimbabwe.
The womens disturbing accounts demonstrated that the rape campaign waged by Zanu (PF) in Zimbabwe was both widespread and systematic. Every victim supported the MDC, and in every attack the perpetrators were clearly identifiable as Zanu (PF) youth militia and war veterans. Striking patterns recurred throughout the testimonies of the 70 survivors and two witnesses and cannot be coincidental.
Accountability for these crimes is critical and serves several purposes: it punishes the perpetrators; it provides justice for the victims; it pierces the veil of impunity that protects Zimbabwes highest officials and enables them to maintain their abusive regime at the cost of womens lives and health; and it deters future rapes.
Within Zimbabwe, both the police and the legal infrastructure are so seriously compromised as to make justice for systematic rape inside the country impossible at this time. Furthermore, existing Zimbabwe law does not allow for the prosecution of rape as an international crime, perpetrated in a systematic fashion.
Yet several possibilities do exist for legal accountability in the region, and are summarized in this report. The principles of command responsibility and universal jurisdiction, the powers of regional tribunals, and the attention of international courts and commissions are all potential avenues for justice that have yet to be pursued. Several bodies could and should also take action against Zimbabwe to restore justice and prevent future crimes against humanity.
Zimbabwes regional neighbours, especially the southern African countries to which so many rape survivors have fled, must take responsibility for providing protection and assistance to the victims. If survivors cannot be assured of their security, they will not be able to recover and they will not be able to come forward and testify about the crimes they have endured.
The next elections in Zimbabwe are just around the corner, and Zanu (PF) is already gearing up for its next campaign of sexual terror. Mugabe and his henchmen can and must be brought to justice. Continued impunity will be a green light for the next rape campaign, and the women of Zimbabweand the southern African regionwill pay the price.
Post published in: Analysis