Hardline supporters of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe are forcibly recruiting youths to carry out attacks on suspected opposition supporters, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

The so-called war veterans were intimidating the youths into their camp by determining that any resisters must therefore be followers of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and legitimate targets.

"Those who refuse to commit violence are assaulted and accused of being MDC supporters by the war veterans'," said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International's Zimbabwe researcher, describing violence has having reached crisis levels.

Violence in the southern African country has escalated since the 29 March election which saw the MDC gaining a historic win in parliament and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai beating Mugabe but falling short of an outright majority.

The London-based rights group said eyewitnesses reported large numbers of Zanu-PF supporters and war veterans assaulting perceived MDC supporters.

"We are particularly worried about people living in more remote rural areas, where violence is taking place away from the spotlight," said Mawanza.

"The situation for these victims of violence is dire. Humanitarian organisations and local non-governmental organisations are being targeted for helping victims, who are being blocked from receiving medical assistance."

Zimbabwean doctors, trade unions and teachers have reported beatings and intimidation by government-backed militias since the elections on 29 March and the MDC says more than 30 of its supporters have been killed.

Amnesty — which has recorded 22 deaths and over 900 injured from political violence — said it feared for the safety of abducted MDC supporters.

In a statement the human rights body called on the Zimbabwean government to publicly denounce all acts of violence and work with other political parties to end political violence immediately.

AFP