Time for accountability 27 10 Recommendations Recommendations to the government of Zimbabwe Some of the following recommendations involve measures which need to be taken urgently to mitigate the effects of the state-sponsored violence that engulfed the country before the presidential run-off of 27 June 2008. Other recommendations focus on longer-term measures to address the long-standing problem of impunity in Zimbabwe, to ensure redress for victims and to ensure non-recurrence of such violations. In order for such measures to be effective, they require wide-ranging consultations with civil society and the international community. In order to ensure their durability, they need to be embedded in legislative and administrative reforms. 1. To address the immediate effects of human rights violations in the context of the recent state-sponsored violence the government should: Allow humanitarian organizations free passage to monitor food security and assess the urgent needs of victims of the recent wave of human rights violations throughout Zimbabwe. The government should accept internationally agreed criteria and methodologies for assessing vulnerability. Guarantee the free and unimpeded passage of aid provided by humanitarian organizations and UN agencies. Unimpeded access must include freedom to meet members of the community without interference and without the presence of any security forces, “war veterans” or any bodies that may be perceived as threatening. Ensure immediate access to emergency shelter to all victims of recent statesponsored violence and restore their capacity to earn a living. The injured should be given access to medical treatment and other effective remedies to address their immediate needs. 2. To break the culture of impunity in Zimbabwe and to ensure redress for victims of human rights violations, the government should: Establish an independent commission of inquiry to look into all aspects of the human rights violations in Zimbabwe since 2000, and in particular in the context of the elections in 2008. The terms of reference of the commission and its membership should be determined on the basis of broad public consultation with all sectors of society, including in particular 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 as well as of Amnesty International AI Index: AFR 46/028/2008