Zimbabwe elections trigger wave of rights violations

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said a wave of violence, intolerance and abuse of power by state security agents last year persisted into the new year with the freedoms of assembly and association the most violated as elections draw nearer.

The Forum, bringing together local groups involved in promoting human rights and supporting victims of violence, criticised what it said was the police's "selective application of the law and criminalisation of lawful political activities when dealing with opposition political parties."