tyres. There are strong allegations of rape and other sexual assault of women emerging. The violent attacks on suspected protestors have mainly taken place in the high-density suburbs around major cities like Harare and Bulawayo. As a result of the crackdown, at least 12 people had been killed by the security forces by 18 January. This was in contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights (ICCPR) to which Zimbabwe is party.34 On 17 January, the number of those arrested had risen to over 600 as disclosed by the Minister of State Security. Under international law, firearms can only be used to protect against an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and as a matter of last resort. The security forces must as far as possible apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force. In particular, law enforcement authorities must ensure that everyone can enjoy the right to peaceful assembly, and that the rights to life and to physical and mental integrity are respected at all times. International law enforcement standards are clear that any use of force by the police should be exceptional and must comply with the state’s international human rights obligations, particularly the obligation to respect and protect the right to life and physical integrity and security of the person.35 As the authorities continue to clampdown on protestors, they have turned their attention to alleged organisers with prominent activists and civil society leaders arbitrarily arrested on dubious charges and many others in hiding as state security agents hunt for them. 2.1 UNLAWFUL KILLINGS AND EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY THE POLICE AND THE MILITARY On 14 January, armed police officers, soldiers and other state security agents were deployed to the streets in different parts of the country, including in Bulawayo, Harare, specifically around Harare city centre, Chitungwiza township and high-density suburbs of Epworth, Mabvuku and Kuwadzana. They soon followed with use of excessive and lethal force - teargas, baton sticks, water cannons and live ammunition to disperse protestors who were largely participating in demonstrations following the call for national ‘shutdown’ against fuel price increases. As a result of the deployment of security forces, at least 12 people had been killed by the security forces by 18 January. Medical doctors who attended to the wounded or who saw those already killed when their bodies were brought to hospitals told Amnesty International that the wounds they had seen and treated were consistent with gun shots as well as trauma caused by the use of blunt and sharp instruments particularly on the feet, backs and buttocks.36 They also observed that the gunshot wounds were high-velocity and were aimed at causing maximum damage. In all the cases analysed by Amnesty International, none of the people shot at or injured posed any imminent threat to the security forces. Some were shot from behind, while there were cases of bystanders who got shot as they watched the mayhem unfolding. Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights states: Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life” 35 Principle 9 of the United Nations Basic Principle of the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials states: “law enforcement officials shall not use firearms against persons except in self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury, to prevent the perpetration of a particularly serious crime involving grave threat to life… and only when less extreme means are insufficient to achieve these objectives. In any event, intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.” 36 Interview with medical doctors, 24 January 2019, their identities are being withheld for security reasons 34 ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS, CLOSED FOR DISSENT’ CRACKDOWN IN ZIMBABWE DURING THE NATIONAL STAY-AWAY, 14-16 JANUARY 2019 Amnesty International 9