Mugabe's Zimbabwe, 2000-2009: Massive Human Rights Violations and the Failure to Protect

Mugabe's Zimbabwe, 2000-2009: Massive Human Rights Violations and the Failure to Protect

Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann Human Rights Quarterly, Volume 32, Number 4, November 2010, pp. 898-920
Published by Johns Hopkins University Press
DOI: 10.1353/hrq.2010.0030

Abstract

  • This article reviews the human rights violations in Zimbabwe from 2000 to 2009 under Robert Mugabe's rule.

  • Violations include:

    • State-induced famine

    • Illegal mass expulsions

    • Systemic rape

  • These violations are presented as constituting crimes against humanity.

  • The article discusses the actions taken by various African regional organizations (e.g., African Union and Southern African Development Community) and international bodies to address the violations and argues that their lack of forceful action amounted to a failure to protect the Zimbabwean population.

Author Background

  • Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann

    • Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights at Wilfrid Laurier University.

    • Associated with both the Department of Global Studies and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

    • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

    • Notable works include The Age of Apology (2007) and Reparations to Africa (2008).

I. Introduction

  • The article provides an overview of human rights violations during Mugabe's governance and affirms their classification as crimes against humanity.

  • It considers the failure of regional and international organizations to protect the people of Zimbabwe, outlining the significant events that occurred until 2009.

II. Robert Mugabe and Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe

  • Historical Context:

    • Mugabe became President at Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 and was a leader during the liberation struggle against colonial rule.

    • By 2000, Zimbabwe was viewed as a prosperous nation with a strong agricultural sector largely sustained by white farmers.

  • Land Reforms and Violence:

    • In 2000, Mugabe incited land invasions by war veterans leading to violent confiscations of white-owned farms.

    • White farmers were ordered to vacate their lands, with extensive reports of violence, killings, and intimidation against them and their employees.

    • Consequence included massive unemployment (150,000 to 200,000 farm workers) and food production plummeting from 2 million tons of maize in 2000 to around 450,000 tons by 2008.

  • Government Policy Reaction:

    • Farmers and agricultural workers faced economic disenfranchisement with many not able to cultivate land effectively due to lack of resources.

    • By 2008, many large farms were left abandoned or underproducing.

III. Humanitarian Crisis

  • Food Insecurity:

    • By 2003, approximately half of Zimbabwe's population was considered food insecure.

    • Mugabe's regime distributed state-owned grains selectively to political supporters while denying access to perceived opposition areas.

    • Humanitarian agencies were blocked from providing assistance.

  • Public Health Issues:

    • Cholera outbreaks occurred in late 2008 due to the collapse of sanitation systems, with over 98,000 cases reported.

  • Social Breakdown:

    • Extreme poverty escalated, affecting education access and marriage rates.

    • Over one million people were internally displaced due to state violence and Operation Murambatsvina (2005), which targeted urban dwellers.

IV. State-Induced Famine as a Crime Against Humanity

  • Definition and Context:

    • Famine is defined as a process involving the deprivation of assets and the inability to labor.

    • Zimbabwe experienced a politically induced dearth, leading towards famine conditions without reaching widespread starvation directly.

    • Relevant statistics show a significant decline in health indicators, including life expectancy and increased infant mortality.

  • Mugabe's Intentional Policies:

    • Policies reflected indifference to the suffering of the populace and prioritized political control over humanitarian needs.

    • Deliberate restrictions on food aid and essential supplies contribute to accusations of attempted faminogenesis.

V. Actions Taken by the International Community

A. Regional African Organizations

  • Role of the African Union and SADC:

    • Initial inaction allowed Mugabe's actions to continue without significant challenge; a change in rhetoric began around 2007 but lacked substance.

    • Interventions were limited despite various calls for measures against Mugabe’s regime by civil society and external observers.

B. States and Organizations Outside Africa

  • Global Response:

    • The Commonwealth suspended Zimbabwe from 2002 onwards, the EU imposed travel bans on state officials, and sanctions were reinforced by the US.

    • In 2008, a proposed UNSC resolution to impose sanctions was vetoed by Russia and China, citing non-threatening influences to international peace.

VI. Conclusions

  • The situation in Zimbabwe highlighted a systemic failure of both African and international communities to protect citizens against crimes perpetrated by a state against its own people.

  • The notion of state sovereignty hindered intervention despite clear evidence of human rights abuses and governance failures.

  • The breakdown of civil rights, combined with deliberate policies for maintaining political power, demonstrated visible state-induced famine and wider humanitarian issues that necessitated stronger global action and accountability measures, including potential ICC referrals and acknowledgment of political crimes against humanity.

References

  • Comprehensive bibliographic details for sources cited throughout the document such as Human Rights Watch, the World Food Program, and individual authors for relevant literature on the socio-political context of Zimbabwe during the period of 2000-2009.