ZIMBABWE:Women fighting for better living conditions and political reform in Zimbabwe are suffering "increasing repression" from President Robert Mugabe's government.
That is according to a new report from Amnesty International, which claims that the Zimbabwean authorities are routinely harassing and withholding food from women who are seen to be campaigning against the government.
The report, published today, said hundreds of human rights defenders in such organisations as Women of Zimbabwe Arise have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for engaging in peaceful protest marches.
Most women interviewed by Amnesty reported being subjected to beatings and other ill-treatment while in police custody. In some cases, this amounted to torture, the report said. "Much of the abuse has included sexist verbal abuse and derogatory accusations aimed at discrediting their character and work. Some have been detained, with their children or while pregnant, in deplorable conditions falling far below international human rights standards."
Amnesty secretary general Irene Khan said: "Zimbabwean women have demonstrated incredible resilience, bravery and determination in the face of increasing government repression. They are aware of the dangers they face but refuse to be intimidated into submission.
"The Zimbabwean government needs to address the underlying economic and social problems that are motivating women to protest - rather than attacking them and criminalising their legitimate activities in defence of human rights." Women activists told Amnesty researchers that police often accused them of being British or US agents. Another tool allegedly used by the government is withholding access to produce distributed by the state's grain marketing board.
A widow said she had been barred from buying maize from the government agency since 2003 because she complained at a village community meeting about perceived corruption by the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Various human rights groups have accused the government of refusing to deliver food aid to people suspected of supporting the Movement for Democratic Change, the country's chief opposition group.