Zimbabwe: A five point human rights agenda for the inclusive government 7 1. RELEASE ALL PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE AND ENSURE PROMPT AND FAIR TRIAL FOR POLITICAL DETAINEES At least 30 people are known to be still in custody following a wave of enforced disappearances that started at the end of October 2008. The MDC-T claims that about 11 of their members are also missing. Those in detention include Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), an NGO involved in monitoring and documenting human rights violations. Jestina Mukoko was abducted from her home in Norton by state security agents on 3 December 2008. For about three weeks her whereabouts remained unknown. Broderick Takawira and Pascal Gonzo, both male, were abducted by state security agents from the ZPP offices in Harare on 8 December. The three human rights workers were later handed to the police by their abductors on or around 23 December and have remained in custody despite a High Court ruling declaring their abduction and subsequent arrest and detention unlawful. Amnesty International considers the three human rights workers to be prisoners of conscience. Amnesty International calls on the new government to: Immediately and unconditionally release all Prisoners of Conscience. Ensure that all known and unknown political detainees are promptly charged with recognizable crimes in accordance with international fair trial standards, or are released immediately. 2. IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR NGOS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, POLITICAL PARTIES AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA Since 2000 the government has taken measures to silence all critics of its policies. Hundreds of human rights defenders have been arbitrarily arrested and unlawfully detained by the police after exercising their rights to peaceful protest and freedom of association. Scores have been tortured while in police custody for exercising these rights. Police have used excessive force to break up peaceful protests often resulting in serious injuries. In June 2008, the government suspended the operations of all non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Although the suspension was later lifted for humanitarian organisations, other organisations including human rights groups continue to face obstacles including harassment and intimidation. In the run up to the 27 June election, the Zimbabwean security forces were implicated in the abduction, killing, and torture of known and suspected supporters of the then opposition parties. About 190 people died and at least 10,000 people were injured. Many people are still missing following the wave of state-sponsored violence. The government has also restricted the activities of private media organisations including by banning critical media organisations such as the Daily News, Radio Voice of the People and others. Journalists have been targeted for arrests and some have been denied registration by the Media and Information Commission. Amnesty International calls on the new government to: Immediately cease all intimidation, arbitrary arrests and torture by the police and other state Index: AFR 46/009/2009 Amnesty International February 2009