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| Zimbabwe conditions 'worsening' | Zimbabwe conditions 'worsening' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans are growing ever more desperate as the political crisis continues, says human rights group Amnesty International. | Conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans are growing ever more desperate as the political crisis continues, says human rights group Amnesty International. |
| In a report, Amnesty warns that many people are at risk of extreme hunger after a failed agricultural season. | In a report, Amnesty warns that many people are at risk of extreme hunger after a failed agricultural season. |
| It says many victims of the political violence that followed the March elections were subsistence farmers. | It says many victims of the political violence that followed the March elections were subsistence farmers. |
| Amnesty has released video footage of a farmer said to have been beaten up by secret police earlier in October. | Amnesty has released video footage of a farmer said to have been beaten up by secret police earlier in October. |
| Some famers have been crippled and are now unable to work the land, the group  says, leaving them dependent on food aid. | Some famers have been crippled and are now unable to work the land, the group  says, leaving them dependent on food aid. |
| Amnesty says much of the violence was state-sponsored, often perpetrated by members of the security forces in government vehicles. | Amnesty says much of the violence was state-sponsored, often perpetrated by members of the security forces in government vehicles. |
| I am now disabled, I can't work in the field, I want my attackers brought to justice LynFarmer | I am now disabled, I can't work in the field, I want my attackers brought to justice LynFarmer |
| The report, Zimbabwe - Time for Accountability, urges southern African leaders to resolve the political crisis. | The report, Zimbabwe - Time for Accountability, urges southern African leaders to resolve the political crisis. |
| Although a power-sharing agreement was signed six weeks ago, there is deadlock over the allocation of cabinet posts. | Although a power-sharing agreement was signed six weeks ago, there is deadlock over the allocation of cabinet posts. |
| "Every day that passes without a political solution, the living conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans become more and more desperate," says Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher Simeon Mawanza. | "Every day that passes without a political solution, the living conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans become more and more desperate," says Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher Simeon Mawanza. |
| Mr Mawanza warned that "the most vulnerable Zimbabweans are at risk of extreme hunger". | Mr Mawanza warned that "the most vulnerable Zimbabweans are at risk of extreme hunger". |
| "If we think the food situation in Zimbabwe is bad now, just wait until the end of this year, when half of the population is likely to need aid," he said. | "If we think the food situation in Zimbabwe is bad now, just wait until the end of this year, when half of the population is likely to need aid," he said. |
| Victims of beatings | Victims of beatings |
| Amnesty said the majority of victims it had interviewed said they could name their attackers, most of whom were in the security forces, so-called war veterans or local activists with the ruling Zanu-PF. | Amnesty said the majority of victims it had interviewed said they could name their attackers, most of whom were in the security forces, so-called war veterans or local activists with the ruling Zanu-PF. |
| In video footage released by Amnesty, a 26-year-old farmer and MDC supporter recalls an attack earlier in October, which left her with internal injuries. | In video footage released by Amnesty, a 26-year-old farmer and MDC supporter recalls an attack earlier in October, which left her with internal injuries. |
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| One farmer, whose face has been obscured to protect her identity, said she was attacked this month - courtesy Amnesty International | |
| "I locked my doors, but they broke them down and came in. They started beating me, they hit me on the head with a big stick and kicked me in the chest while I was on the floor," she said. | "I locked my doors, but they broke them down and came in. They started beating me, they hit me on the head with a big stick and kicked me in the chest while I was on the floor," she said. |
| Lyn, an 86-year-old farmer, told Amnesty her arm was broken for not attending Zanu-PF meetings. | Lyn, an 86-year-old farmer, told Amnesty her arm was broken for not attending Zanu-PF meetings. |
| She told the rights group: "I am now disabled. I can't work in the field. I want to be compensated for the injuries. I want [my attackers] to be brought to justice." | She told the rights group: "I am now disabled. I can't work in the field. I want to be compensated for the injuries. I want [my attackers] to be brought to justice." |
| President Robert Mugabe denies his government backed a campaign of violence and torture against supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. | President Robert Mugabe denies his government backed a campaign of violence and torture against supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. |