alleged that the police forces have generally failed to intervene or investigate the incidents of murder, rape,
torture or the destruction of property committed by the war veterans. Furthermore, a General Amnesty for
Politically Motivated Crimes gazetted on 6th October 2000 absolved most of the perpetrators from
prosecution. While the Amnesty excluded those accused of murder, robbery, rape, indecent assault,
statutory rape, theft, possession of arms or any offence involving fraud or dishonesty very few persons
accused of these crimes have been prosecuted.
Complaint
15. The Complainant alleges a violation of Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the African Charter on
Human and Peoples' Rights.
Procedure
16. The communication was received at the Secretariat of the Commission on 3rd January 2002.
17. On 8th January 2002 the Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the communication and informed the
Complainant that the matter would be scheduled for consideration by the Commission at its 31st Session.
18. During its 31st ordinary session held from 2th - 16th May 2002 in Pretoria, South Africa, the African
Commission examined the complaint and decided to be seized of it.
19. On 29th May 2002 the parties to the communication were informed of the Commission's decision and
requested to forward their submissions on admissibility to the Secretariat within 3 months.
20. At its 32nd Ordinary Session held from 17th - 23rd October 2002 in Banjul, The Gambia, the African
Commission examined the communication and decided to defer its consideration on admissibility to the
33rd Ordinary Session and the parties to the communication were informed accordingly.
21. At its 33rd Ordinary Session held from 15th - 29th May 2003, in Niamey, Niger, the African Commission
heard oral submissions from both parties to the communication and decided to defer its decision on
admissibility to the 34th Ordinary Session.
22. On 10th June 2003, the Secretariat of the African Commission wrote informing the parties to the
communication of the African Commission's decision and requested them to forward their written
submissions on admissibility within 2 months.
23. At its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6th - 20th November 2003, the African
Commission examined the communication and decided to declare the communication admissible.
24. By letter dated 4 December 2003, the parties to the communication were informed of the African
Commission's decision and requested to submit their written submissions on the merits within 3 months.
25. At its 35th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 21st May - 4th June 2004, the African
Commission examined the communication and decided to defer it to the 36th Ordinary Session for further
consideration.
26. By Note Verbale dated 15th June 2004, and by letter bearing the same date, the Secretariat of the
African Commission informed the parties accordingly.
27. At its 36th Ordinary Session held from 23 November - 7 December 2004, in Dakar, Senegal, the African
Commission considered the communication and deferred its decision to the 37th Ordinary session.
28. By Note Verbale of 16 December 2004 and by letter of 20 December 2004, the Secretariat informed the
State and the Complainant respectively of the decision of the African Commission.
29. At its 37th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 27 April to 11 May 2005, the African
Commission deferred consideration of the communication due to lack of time.
30. By note verbale dated 24 May 2005 the State was notified of the decision of the African Commission.
By letter of the same date the Secretariat of the African Commission notified the Complainant.
31. At its 38th ordinary session held from 21 November to 5 December 2005, the African Commission
differed consideration on the merits to the 39th session.
32. By Note Verbale of 15 December 2005 and by letter of the same date, the Secretariat of the African
Commission notified both parties of the African Commission's decision.
33. At its 39th Ordinary Session held from 11 - 25 May 2006, the African Commission considered the
communication and found the Republic of Zimbabwe in violation of certain provisions of the African Charter.
34. By Note Verbale of 29 May 2006 and by letter of the same date, both parties were notified of the African
Commission's decision.
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