While talks stall, violence against MDC continues in Zimbabwe

An AFP wire story reported on NASDAQ today reports of continued violence against MDC officials and supporters.

The report gives account of violence in Eastern Zimbabwe:

"Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said an urgent high court application had been filed by a lawmaker and five local councillors from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, or MDC, related to the alleged attacks.

The five local councillors had been forced from their homes and have sought refuge outside of the Nyanga constituency, the rights group said, citing the court case.

The lawmaker is Douglas Mwonzora and the councillors are Edith Baipai, Thenia Nyanhongo, Fidelis Katerere, Munyaradzi Mwonzora and Passmore Mandikuvadza.

Their court filing requests the alleged harassment and assault of opposition members and supporters, as well as the theft of their livestock, be stopped immediately. They are also seeking the dismantling of what they called illegal roadblocks and semi-military bases.

The rights group expressed "serious concern over the continued politically motivated violence and violation of the fundamental rights of perceived and confirmed members of the MDC by war veterans."

The so-called war veterans are hardline supporters of Mugabe, who won a new term as president in June in a one-man election widely condemned as a sham.

The rights group also criticized police "inaction" in reported cases of violence and intimidation."

The SABC (South AFrica) reports on a new report by the Solidarity Peace Trust that details many acts of torture and violence carried out by government supporters against those supporting the opposition:

"The dossier is the first comprehensive account of what's believed to be government-sponsored violence in that country during and after the March 29, 2008 elections. Activist Sharri Eppel says youth militia and war veterans are believed to be behind the attacks. “We've seen meticulous kinds of torture. People having their genitals ripped off with barbed wire, people having needles, threaded repeatedly through their hands.”

Eppel further stated that in other instances people would have their hands and feet smashed repeatedly. People have been abducted, killed and then their bodies have turned up, sometimes weeks later."

The Reports of the Solidarity Peace Trust are available at their website.