Zimbabwe: An assessment of human rights violations in the run-up to the 31 March 2005 parliamentary elections 9 Recommendations to governments and inter-governmental bodies sending election monitors to Zimbabwe • Ensure that all election monitors have a clear mandate to monitor and report on those areas of human rights that directly impact on the ability of people to participate in the election process freely and without fear. All election monitor delegations should, if possible, include people trained or experienced in monitoring human rights. Elections monitors should pay particular attention to the following areas: The impact of impunity for past human rights violations perpetrated against members and supporters of the MDC. Discrimination in access to and distribution of food, particularly in those areas such as in the south and east of the country - which experience chronic food deficits. The extent to which all people in Zimbabwe have been able to exercise their rights to freedom of movement, assembly, association and expression throughout the election period. The security of all parties, candidates and supporters before, during and after the elections. • Ensure that election monitors are prepared to raise issues of human rights violations or police inaction with the authorities and to publicly condemn human rights violations before, during and after the elections. • Ensure that monitors remain in the country for as long as necessary after the elections to help ensure that the aftermath is free from acts of reprisal and to report publicly on any that may occur. • Request that election monitors have access to all sectors of the population since violations often occur far away from polling stations. Recommendation to SADC election monitors: • In addition to the recommendations made above Amnesty International urges all election monitors from the SADC region to adhere to the letter and the spirit of human rights commitments contained in the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Amnesty International 15 March 2005 AI Index: AFR 46/003/2005