Figure 6 Abduction/ kidnapping 100 90 80 Number of reports 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Ju lAu 01 g0 Se 1 p0 O 1 ct -0 N 1 ov -0 D 1 ec -0 Ja 1 n0 Fe 2 b0 M 2 ar -0 Ap 2 rM 02 ay -0 Ju 2 n0 Ju 2 lAu 02 gSe 02 p0 O 2 ct -0 N 2 ov -0 D 2 ec -0 Ja 2 n0 Fe 3 b0 M 3 ar -0 Ap 3 rM 03 ay -0 Ju 3 n0 Ju 3 l- 0 Au 3 g0 Se 3 p0 O 3 ct N 03 ov -0 D 3 ec -0 3 0 Month & year The data in the reports of the Human Rights Forum also covers an array of other violations of human rights. The frequency of reports of unlawful arrests and detentions rose dramatically in October 2001, March 2002 and January to April 2003. Similarly, reports of threats to persons because of their political or civic affiliations were highest in July 2001, March 2002 and March-April 2003. The most notorious reports of breaches of freedom of expression included the arrests following the various stay-aways during 2003 by the MDC, the ZCTU, and the NCA, but also the arrests and detention of ZCTU and other civic leaders in 18 October 2003 . 18 The use of POSA in restricting the basic rights of freedom of expression and association have recently been demonstrated by the Solidarity Peace Trust in their report –Solidarity Peace Trust (2004), ““Disturbing the peace”: An overview of civilian arrests in Zimbabwe: February 2003 – January 2004, SOLIDARITY PEACE TRUST- … … .” – where it was shown that no single prosecution under POSA, in 1225 cases, had been successful. A more compelling demonstration of the use of legislation to harass and intimidate cannot be given. 26

Select target paragraph3

Add to table of contents