Zimbabwe: An assessment of human rights violations in the run-up to the 31 March 2005 parliamentary elections 3 January and beginning of March at least eight MDC candidates and the MDC’s Director of Elections were arrested or detained by police. 5 For example: • MDC candidate for Zengeza, Goodrich Chimbaira, was arrested on 23 January and charged under POSA for allegedly holding an illegal meeting in his home. POSA requires that police are notified of public meetings. Goodrich Chimbaira was detained overnight and released. Police indicated they would proceed by way of a summons. • On 16 February police raided a training session being run by the MDC for its candidates in the March elections. The MDC’s Director of Elections, Ian Makoni, was arrested and charged under POSA with holding an illegal meeting. To the best of Amnesty International’s knowledge no ZANU-PF candidates have been arrested in the context of the March election campaign. 6 It is not only candidates standing in the elections who have been targeted. Opposition campaign workers have also been arrested while engaging in peaceful campaign-related activities, such as checking the voters’ roll. 7 For example: • At the beginning of February an MDC campaigning team comprising some 13 people was arrested in Gwanda after they gave an open palm salute to the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister when his vehicle passed by. The open palm is an MDC symbol. The activists were each fined Z$25,000, allegedly for “insulting” the ZANU-PF MP.8 • On 3 February police detained approximately seven MDC campaign workers who were going door-to-door checking the voters’ roll in Matebeleland South on behalf of MDC MP for Matebeleland South, David Coltart. The police, referring to POSA, 5 MDC candidates and MPs reportedly arrested or detained from 23 January to 6 March are: MDC MP for Makokoba, Thokozani Khupe, was arrested on 23 January, held overnight, and charged under POSA with holding an illegal meeting; MDC candidate for Zengeza, Goodrich Chimbaira, was arrested 23 January under POSA on allegations of holding an illegal meeting; MDC MP for Kuwadzana, Nelson Chamisa, was arrested on 25 January on allegations of inciting public violence; MDC candidate for Shamva, Godfrey Chimombe, was arrested on 22 February while putting up posters; MDC candidate for Bindura, Joel Mugariri, was arrested on 24 February allegedly for putting up campaign posters without permission; MDC candidate for Zvimba North, Prince Chibanda, was detained on 3 March and held overnight but not charged; MDC candidate for Mount Darwin South, Henry Chimbiri, was detained by police on 4 March, charged under Miscellaneous Offences Act and released on payment of a fine; MDC candidate for Mudzi West, Shorai Tsungu, was reportedly detained by police on 5 March in connection with allegations that he was responsible for graffiti in 2002. All of these MDC candidates were released - on bail or after paying fines or without charge. Source: MDC. 6 On 9 March 2005 ZANU-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Mr. Nathan Shamuyarira, speaking to Amnesty International by telephone, said that he was not aware of any ZANU-PF candidates arrested in the context of the current election campaign. 7 Interviews with MDC candidates and activists and human rights defenders, February and March 2005. 8 Interview with Maxwell Zimuto, Information Officer, MDC, March 2005. The activists paid admission of guilt fines under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Amnesty International 15 March 2005 AI Index: AFR 46/003/2005