Bitter Outcomes of Political Violence in Zimbabwe

It's June 2008. Almost 60 years after nations around the world signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, committing to realizing the right for every person "to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives", and over just the last twenty days: men, women, and children across Zimbabwe have suffered the bitter outcomes of political violence.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights offered a shared vision for the world. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration states "the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government", and "[that] will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedure" Yet on July 23rd, the front page of the New York Times online showed a photograph of six men with sticks and iron bars beating unidentified victims at the site of a planned political rally. It was just one picture of thousands too many.

• In solidarity with Zimbabwe's suffering people, make your pledge to uphold the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. Sign the pledge, and tell your friends. Help grow this community of people spanning organizations around the world who are calling for accountability and standing up for human rights.

In a BBC Interview, The Elders Chair Archbishop Tutu offered strong words, calling for the prevention of Mr. Mugabe or any of "his cronies" from leaving the country and accessing out of country funds. After Friday's election, Tutu argued that African leaders should join in a unanimous voice saying to Mr. Mugabe, "You are unwelcome any longer. You are Illegitimate We will not recognize your administration in any way, shape or form."

Every Human Has Rights partner organisations, CIVICUS and GCAP released a joint statement calling for "...every Member State in the African Union to urgently put a stop to Mr Mugabe's anti-democratic activities and protect the people of Zimbabwe..." Amnesty International described the event, "being held against a backdrop of widespread killings, torture and assault of perceived opposition supporters", as deeply distrurbing, and urged the "AU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to apply all necessary pressure on President Mugabe and his government to end the violence". All three organizations have called for a pan-African Day of Solidarity on July 12th. Civil society groups and concerned citizens are being encouraged to undertake solidarity actions on the day.

Organizations like the World YWCA are providing humanitarian assistance and continued support with shelter to survivors of violence. They're also doing robust psychosocial counselling and healing now and as the country recovers.

In addition to contributing your time and talent to efforts mentioned above, you can track what's happening on the ground through organizations like Sokwanele - Zvakwana, and Kubatana. To leave you with a glimmer of hope, here is a beautiful poem written by a human rights blogger in Harare, entitled: I am part of a vision.