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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 2
Gukuruhundi ....................................................................................................................... 3
Population size.................................................................................................................... 6
Threats against opposition and protestors and incitement to attack opposition supporters 7
Food riots 1998 ................................................................................................................. 21
Murambatsvina ................................................................................................................. 23
Court orders and the rule of law ....................................................................................... 24
Whites, white farmers, Jews and homosexuals................................................................. 25
Archbishop Pius Ncube .................................................................................................... 29
Threats against teachers .................................................................................................... 30
Media and journalists........................................................................................................ 31
Condoning torture ............................................................................................................. 33
Political discrimination in food distribution ..................................................................... 36
Non-governmental organisations...................................................................................... 37
Human rights..................................................................................................................... 37
Introduction
The utterances of political leaders can be very revealing. Their commitment to democracy and
human rights is most tested when there is a serious challenge to their continued hold on power
or when they attract heavy criticism. At such times, the leaders either display political tolerance
or they lash out at their critics and opponents. Leaders with repressive tendencies will turn to
repression; leaders who respect democracy will not.
Over the years, and particularly in the past seven years, ruling party leaders in Zimbabwe have
made many statements. Many of these statements have been made at times when the ruling
party has been under attack or has faced serious challenge.
A selection of these statements is provided below. An analysis of these statements discloses the
following characteristics of the ruling party:
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It is deeply antagonistic to all opposition and dissent.
Their words condemn them:
The language of violence, intolerance and despotism in Zimbabwe.