3
Now there is frequent dispute about whether Zimbabwe since 2000 constitutes a situation of
―collective violence‖, and this leads to the frequently expressed view that the estimated 3 million
Zimbabweans living outside of Zimbabwe, and mostly in South Africa, are ―economic refugees‖.
This view is reinforced by the parlous state of the Zimbabwean economy, and it is certainly the
case that, in the world‘s fastest declining economy, Zimbabweans are leaving the country
because of the economy.
However, it is also the case that Zimbabwe has experienced significant levels of organized
violence and torture since 2000, with the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum recording over
15,000 violations since July 2001.6 Thus, whether Zimbabwe currently is described as a country
at war or a country suffering under state repression, it seems fair to conclude that the country is
in the grip of a ―complex emergency‖, which is the most recent characterization of countries in
severe political conflict.7 This is defined by the UN as follows:
‗‗A humanitarian crisis in a country, region or society where there is total or
considerable breakdown of authority resulting from internal or external conflict
and which requires an international response that goes beyond the mandate or
capacity of any single agency and/or the ongoing United Nations country
programme.‘‘8
The features of complex emergencies – the dislocation of populations; the destruction of social
networks and ecosystems; insecurity affecting civilians and others not engaged in fighting; and
abuses of human rights - are all currently present in Zimbabwe, and have been present for
several years now.
It is also important to highlight one factor generally specific to women, rape and other forms of
sexual violence. This factor receives considerable attention, and draws frequent reference from
those responsible for monitoring human rights and the rights of women. 9 There has been
frequent reference to rape and other forms of sexual violence during the past 6 years, but much
has remained in the realm of anecdote. This is not to say that sexual violence against women has
not occurred, but rather that the extent remains unknown. For example, the reports of the
Human Rights Forum show a relatively low incidence of rape, although the cases reported
demonstrate unequivocally that politically-motivated rape has occurred. A recent report on
Operation Murambatsvina showed a considerable rise in the incidence of rape and other forms of
sexual abuse since 2000, indicating that rape had risen to between 8-11%, and sexual abuse had
risen to between 12-30%.10 It is clearly very important to determine the extent to which this
startling increase is directly due to political violence, as is frequently the case in conflict
6
See Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (2006), An Analysis of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Legal Cases,
1998–2006. Published by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. June 2006, HARARE: ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS
NGO FORUM.
7
See again Mollica ,R F, Lopes Cardozo, B, Osofsky, H J, Raphael, B, Ager,A, & Salama, P(2004), Mental health in
complex emergencies, LANCET, 364: 2058–67; see also Mollica, R.F. Guerra, R. Bhasin, R. & Lavelle,J (Eds), BOOK
OF BEST PRACTICES. TRAUMA AND THE ROLE OF MENTALHEALTH IN POST-CONFLICT RECOVERY, Project 1 Billion:
International Congress of Ministers of Health for Mental Health and Post-Conflict Recovery, 2004.
8
See Handbook for emergencies. Geneva, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2001.
9
10
The 2004 Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment noted that:
"Torture of women frequently includes sexual violence with a view to humiliating and degrading the victim. Besides the
physical and psychological damage caused by the torture, sexual abuse has additional consequences for women, such
as the risk of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases and of pregnancy, miscarriage, forced abortion or
sterilization. In a large number of sociocultural contexts, rape and sexual abuse continue to entail the stigmatization
and ostracism of the victim upon her return to her community and family. The social stigma attached to rape in most
societies often leads to the rejection of the victim by her male relatives."
See ActionAid (2005), An in-depth study on the impact of Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order in Zimbabwe.
ActionAid International in collaboration with the Counselling Services Unit (CSU), Combined Harare Residents‘
Association (CHRA) and the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP). November 2005.