PF youth if they did not do so.81 A local human rights activist from Mt. Darwin South observed, “It’s a must (to attend ZANU PF meetings). Its meetings, it’s a must. If you are found absent from the meeting, it’s subject to investigation.”82 Human Rights Watch interviewed many people including NGO employees, human rights activists and MDC supporters who pointed out that they owned ZANU PF cards for their own protection. A ZANU PF card ensured that they could travel to rural parts of the provinces in relative safety. According to these reports, ZANU PF youth regularly demanded ZANU PF cards and threatened and assaulted those who did not own one. Those without ZANU PF cards were perceived to be opposition supporters even if this was not the case.83 On several occasions, Zimbabweans who claimed to be MDC or non-partisan showed Human Rights Watch researchers their ZANU PF cards. Human Rights Watch spoke to a number of ZANU PF supporters and members who denied that people were now being forced to attend political meetings or rallies or own ZANU PF cards. But they were willing to admit that in previous elections people were forced to own ZANU PF cards, attend political meetings and rallies and were frequently assaulted if they did not do so.84 The lack of political tolerance demonstrated in the provinces Human Rights Watch visited and reports of political intimidation from other parts of the country do not inspire confidence that MDC candidates and their supporters will be able to operate freely in a number of provinces in the brief period that remains for campaigning. Many Zimbabweans will continue to be afraid to openly engage in political activities, attend MDC rallies or express their political viewpoints, out of fear for their personal safety. Freedom of Assembly, Movement and Association The barriers that a government or other actors place in the way of holding meetings, rallies, debates and other public events have a direct bearing on the openness of elections.85 The Public Order and Security Act (POSA) severely restricts the rights to 81 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, December 16, 2004. 82 Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, February 11, 2005. 83 Human Rights Watch interviews with local activists, opposition members and residents of Harare, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, and Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces, December 2004 and February 2005 84 Human Rights Watch interviews with ZANU PF members and supporters in Murehwa and Mutoko, February 2005 85 Article 21 (1) of the Zimbabwe constitution states: “Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to 19