8 Zimbabwe: A five point human rights agenda for the inclusive government security forces of government critics. Immediately drop charges against all people arrested and charged for exercising their internationally recognised rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and expression. Immediately review and amend existing rules that facilitate unjustified use of force, in order to bring them into full compliance with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force or Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and related standards. Immediately remove unnecessary restrictions on the media and allow independent media to operate freely. 3. DEAL WITH PAST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Amnesty International is appealing to the new government to institute a series of measures to break the culture of impunity which has persisted since 2000, and which was a major factor in serious violations of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. International human rights treaties such as the ICCPR guarantees to everyone the right to an effective remedy. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights also provides guarantee to everyone the right to appeal to competent national bodies against violations of the internationally recognized human rights. Furthermore, states must establish the facts about violations of human rights that have occurred; they must investigate those violations and bring suspected perpetrators to justice; and they must provide victims and their families with reparation, in the form of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. Amnesty International urges the new government to: Immediately establish an independent commission of enquiry to look into all aspects of human rights violations in Zimbabwe since 2000. The terms of reference of the commission and its members should be determined on the basis of broad public consultation with all sectors of society, including the victims. The members of the commission should be appointed on the basis of their recognized impartiality, competence, integrity and independence. Efforts should be made to ensure adequate representation of women. The terms of reference of the commission should mandate it to include in its final report recommendations on legislative and other action to combat impunity. The report of the commission should immediately be made public upon its finalisation. Undertake prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations of human rights violations and ensure that those responsible for crimes, particularly crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations are brought to justice. Ensure that victims receive reparations and have the possibility to seek redress in civil or other proceedings from those responsible for human rights violations. The new government should not take any measures that take away the victims’ right to full and effective remedies, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. Take the necessary steps to ensure the prompt ratification, without reservations, of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Amnesty International February 2009 Index: AFR 46/009/2009