4.0 Findings 4.1 Forms of abuse Forms of abuse identified were arranged into five categories, as follows: 1. Violations of the security of the person 2. Violations pertaining to access to justice 3. Violations of expression and assembly rights 4. Violations of rights of special interest groups 5. Violations of socio-economic and cultural rights The nature and form of the broad range of violations falling under these categories will be elaborated upon below. 4.1.1 Violations of the security of the person Violations involving unlawful deprivation of life (murder), rape, enforced or involuntary dis­ appearances, and arbitrary arrest or detention. 4.1.1.1 Unlawful deprivation of life Arbitrary deprivation of life that is outside the provisions of local and international law. It excludes the imposition of the death penalty as a result of a judicial process which does not contravene certain minimum safeguards imposed by human rights law and the constitution of Zimbabwe. Policy Zimbabwean laws and policies do not directly condone unlawful deprivation of life. The state has ratified the UDHR and the ACHPR, which prohibit state involvement in or acts related to the unlawful deprivation of life. Before the formation of the GNU it was realized that loopholes were exploited by the state to deprive its citizens of life unlawfully, and this was addressed in Article 18 of the GPA, which committed the parties involved to working together to eliminate the use of violence to resolve political differences. The parties specifically agreed, in article 18.5, (a) To promote the values and practices of tolerance, respect, non-violence and dialogue as a means of resolving political differences; (b) To renounce and desist from the promotion and use of violence, under whatever name called, as a means of attaining political ends; … (d) That all political parties, other organizations and their leaders shall commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors and shall consistently appeal to their members to desist from violence. Nature of violations Despite the formation of the GNU, during 2009 state security agents and ZANU(PF) supporters continued to commit politically motivated, arbitrary and unlawful killings, indicative of policy 10 Zimbabwe Human Rights Report – 2009