2 Time for accountability forces, “war veterans”4 and supporters of the Zimbabwe African National UnionPatriotic Front (ZANU-PF) have faced no investigation, prosecution or censure. On the contrary, they appear to have been encouraged to commit further human rights violations by the failure of the government to take action against perpetrators of human rights violations. Amnesty International’s findings show that the violence that followed the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on 29 March 2008 was sponsored by the government. The Zimbabwe security forces – army, police and intelligence service – were directly involved in committing human rights violations against perceived opponents of the ZANU-PF government. The security forces (including retired members) and some “war veterans” were the main force behind the human rights violations. They also organized ZANU-PF supporters to commit human rights abuses against opposition supporters. People suspected to have voted for the opposition parties, human rights defenders5 and officials of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were targeted for beatings, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary killing, abduction, forced eviction and displacement. The victims also had their homes destroyed, their food reserves plundered, their livestock killed, or were injured so badly that they could no longer earn a living. Few of these cases have ever been investigated as perpetrators appear to enjoy state protection. The plight of the victims was compounded by the government’s decision on 4 June 2008 to impose a ban on the field operations of NGOs and humanitarian organizations. Victims who lost their food supplies during the violence continue to face acute food insecurity. Amnesty International is also concerned about the culture of impunity which permeates the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). In 2007, Amnesty International documented a series of human rights violations by the Law and Order Section and the anti-riot unit in the ZRP. Suspected government opponents were beaten, tortured and detained in a manner that denied their internationally guaranteed rights. The allegations of torture, excessive use of force and related violations by the police have not been investigated and those responsible have not been held to account. There can be no durable resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis without deliberate government measures to break the culture of impunity. The failure to ensure justice and redress prolongs and intensifies the pain felt by the victims and their families. It also effectively gives a green light to the perpetrators to continue. The government has an obligation under international human rights law to ensure the right of victims of human rights violations to an effective remedy.6 Amnesty International AI Index: AFR 46/028/2008