4 Zimbabwe: An assessment of human rights violations in the run-up to the 31 March 2005 parliamentary elections allegedly told the campaign workers that the MP should have sought permission for the activity, although no such requirement exists under POSA. The group was detained for more than two hours and then released without charge. On 17 February the High Court in Bulawayo granted an order instructing the police not to prevent or interfere with David Coltart’s attempts to verify the voters'roll for his constituency. However, within days of the court order being handed down police again detained three of David Coltart’s campaign workers. They were held for several hours before being released without charge. The ability to exercise the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly is fundamental to the establishment of a climate in which all citizens can exercise their right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, freely and without fear. Amnesty International believes that the Government of Zimbabwe is systematically violating these human rights. Politically-motivated violence Amnesty International has received reports of beatings and violent attacks committed in the context of the current election campaign. For example, in January ruling party supporters in Chipingi South in Manicaland, attacked and burnt the homes of MDC supporters. Several people, including children, were reportedly beaten and some fled across the border into Mozambique. Some 40 people are believed to remain in Mozambique, afraid to return to the area fearing further victimization. Amnesty International understands that police have arrested several people in connection with the attacks. Reports of violence and intimidation in some high density suburbs are also of concern. In February 2005 Amnesty International spoke to residents of Chitungwiza, an area on the outskirts of Harare, who said that they could not move about after dark for fear of intimidation and assault by ZANU-PF supporters, youth militia9 and soldiers. The residents – who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal – reported that violence against real or perceived MDC supporters in Chitungwiza was orchestrated by specific ruling party supporters whose activities were known to the police. The above reports notwithstanding, there have been significantly fewer reports of politicallymotivated violence in the run-up to the March elections than was the case with the elections in 2000 and 2002. Numerous human rights monitors and victims of past violence expressed the view that the current reduction in violence is part of a government strategy to ensure the elections are free from overt political violence, while using implicit threats and non-violent tactics to intimidate voters. Amnesty International’s investigations suggest that human rights abuses may be underreported in some areas. Victims of violence in Chitungwiza, for example, stated that they did 9 Since 2001 young people trained under the National Youth Service have been used by ZANU-PF as party militias. For further information see: Amnesty International, “Zimbabwe: The toll of impunity”, June 2002, AI Index: AFR 46/034/2002 Amnesty International 15 March 2005 AI Index: AFR 46/003/2005