TNAG-1066-FCO40-1316-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 163

E/CN.4/1503

Annex I page 20

1975

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ZIMBABWE (THE REPUBLIC OF)

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Increasing repression which was the answer of Rhodesia's white régime to the struggle for independence waged by the Zimbabweans took the form of gross violations of human rights which caused widespread internal displacement and a mass exodus Under the state of martial law to the surrounding countries. imposed on areas of the country by the Smith administration in September 1978, which was renewed under the government of Bishop Muzorewa in September 1979, arbitrary detention without trial of thousands of African civilians suspected of supporting assisting nationalist guerrillas were sanctioned. So great was the number of arrests that by October 1979, the prisons and detention camps situated within the 95 per cent of the country covered by martial law could

The not accommodate all those detained.

use of torture increased markedly after the introduction of martial law and as a result of the extension of arbitrary powers to all members of the security forces. New military courts were set up with jurisdiction to try political cases in martial law areas, with sentencing powers equal to those of the High Court, including the power to impose the death penalty.

63. The exodus began in 1975, when at least 15 000 young Zimbabweans left. By the end of 1977, over 90 000 people had fled Rhodesia - 42 000 into Mozambique, 30 000 into Zambia and 20 000 into Botswana, where some remained in the camps which rapidly became overcrowded, while others were moved on to other countries. A year later, the total was almost 150 000 80 000 in Mozambique, 45 000 in Zambia and some 20 000 in Botswana. Events escalated in 1979 so that at the end of that year, there were reportedly a quarter of a million refugees, out of a population of only 7 million. By then, however, the Lancaster House Agreement of December 1979 to return Rhodesia to legality under British rule as a prelude to majority rule elections and independence was the longed-for turning point enabling many to return home. A high proportion of the refugees consisted of young urban Zimbabweans not accompanied by adults. All were of concern to the two arms of the Patriotic Front, ZANU and ZAPU.

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