Zimbabwean youths were being forcibly recruited to commit violence by war veterans, human rights watchdog Amnesty International said on Thursday.
"Those who refuse to commit violence are assaulted and accused of being MDC [Movement for Democratic Change] supporters by the 'war veterans'," said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher.
The organisation said it had been told by witnesses that large numbers of ZANU-PF supporters and war veterans were assaulting perceived MDC supporters in Mberengwa district in Midlands province and Mazowe district in Mashonaland Central.
It said police appeared to be unwilling to stop the violence, only acting to arrest MDC supporters suspected of carrying out attacks on perceived Zanu-PF supporters.
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"We are particularly worried about people living in more remote rural areas, where violence is taking place away from the spotlight.
"The situation for these victims of violence is dire," said Mawanza.
He said humanitarian organisations and local non-governmental organisations were also being targeted for helping victims, who were being blocked from receiving medical assistance.
Some schools in rural areas had been forced to close as teachers - thought to be opposition party supporters - fled from the state-sponsored violence.
"At least 22 people have been killed while over 900 have been treated for injuries sustained from the violence since the elections took place," said the organisation.
On Thursday, Amnesty International called on the Zimbabwean government to publicly denounce all acts of violence by Zanu-PF supporters, war veterans and soldiers, as well as by any other party, and work with other political parties to end political violence immediately.
It called on government to ensure that police arrest all suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses, including those who were instigating the violence.
Government must also ensure that access to humanitarian assistance, including medical care, shelter and food supplies, was not restricted.
It further called for government to invite international human rights monitors to investigate the current human rights violations and that an independent and impartial body be immediately set up to investigate all acts of political violence.
The investigation's findings should be made public and suspected perpetrators should be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international standards of fairness.
Victims should also be awarded full reparations in accordance with international standards. - Sapa
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