The African Union has endorsed a report that says political violence, arbitrary arrests and police torture occurred in the run-up to the 2002 Zimbabwe presidential elections.
The report was compiled by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights during a fact-finding mission in 2002. It said evidence gathered during the review period showed that human rights violations occurred in Zimbabwe.
The mission said it received testimony from witnesses who were victims of political violence and torture while in police custody.
It said the Zimbabwe government cannot wash its hands of responsibility.
The report was first made public during last year's AU summit in July. It was not endorsed at the time, in order to allow for the Zimbabwe government's response to be included.
In July, the government denounced the report.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
