Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 24, 2003
Zimbabwe: Massive Crackdown on Opposition
The United States strongly condemns the unprecedented violence carried out by the Zimbabwe government against domestic
opponents. Over the past three days, the Government of Zimbabwe has embarked on a massive retribution campaign against
opposition officials, supporters, and other critics of the regime. This wave of violence and intimidation follows last
week’s successful and largely peaceful two-day work stoppage organized by the main opposition party, the Movement for
Democratic Change. Since then, over 400 opposition supporters have been arrested, beaten, and in some cases tortured by
individuals in police and military uniform. Over 250 people have required hospitalization and at least one person has
died. Women have been sexually assaulted by police or military officers. The upsurge in official violence is directly
attributable to President Mugabe’s speech last Friday in which he said he could be a “black Hitler ten fold” in crushing
his opponents.
Since the beginning of this year, government officials and supporters have sharply escalated repression of all forms of
dissent. This repression has grown increasingly violent. In the run-up to this week’s parliamentary by-elections in two
pro-opposition districts, the ruling party has made clear its intent to win at any cost and has used violence and
manipulation of food stocks to intimidate voters. Severe violence directed against opposition parties and supporters has
become a standard pre-election tactic of the Mugabe government over the past three years.
The United States demands that the Zimbabwe government immediately cease its campaign of violent repression. The
Zimbabwe government must also act to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of these serious and widespread
human rights abuses.
[End]
Released on March 24, 2003