ZIMBABWE TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY The creation of a new government in Zimbabwe offers an opportunity that must be seized by the authorities to address the human rights violations committed in recent years. In the months between the 29 March 2008 elections and the 27 June presidential run-off, scores of people were killed and thousands injured in state-sponsored political violence. Most were attacked by members of the security forces, “war veterans” or supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party. People suspected of voting for the opposition, human rights defenders and opposition party officials were beaten, arrested, unlawfully detained, tortured and killed. Many were forcibly evicted, saw their homes destroyed, had their food reserves plundered and livestock killed, or were injured so badly that they could no longer earn a living. The plight of the victims was compounded by the government’s decision in June to ban the field operations of NGOs and humanitarian organizations. The perpetrators of the violations 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 hold those responsible to account. This culture of impunity has been allowed to thrive in Zimbabwe, particularly since 2000. There can be no durable resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis without government measures to break the culture of impunity by establishing the truth, bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring reparations for the victims. Amnesty International International Secretariat Peter Benenson House 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom www.amnesty.org Index: AFR 46/028/2008 October 2008