8 Zimbabwe: An assessment of human rights violations in the run-up to the 31 March 2005 parliamentary elections villagers told Amnesty International that appeals to the local authorities have been fruitless. A local official reportedly told them that if they want assistance to regain their land they have to join ZANU-PF. In October 2002 some 60 families in southern Manicaland were forcibly evicted from their village by ZANU-PF supporters, an act of reprisal because they had voted for the MDC candidate in the March 2002 presidential elections. Amnesty International spoke to several of the villagers in February 2005, and they reported that homes were burnt and people beaten during the evictions. Once again the displaced villagers obtained a court order to allow them to return home. However, local authorities have refused to enforce the court order and those evicted have never been able to return to their village. No-one has ever been charged in connection with the assaults or the illegal evictions. Amnesty International is aware of several other cases similar to those described above. The fact that those victimised because of their support for the MDC in previous elections have not been able to access justice or gain relief sends a clear message: those who support the political opposition can be subjected to human rights violations with impunity and no possibility of redress. Amnesty International is concerned that this longstanding climate of impunity is facilitating the repetition of similar human rights abuses in the run-up to the March 2005 elections. 3. Conclusion and recommendations Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights states: “Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law.” In its resolution on the Electoral Process and Participatory Governance, adopted at its 19th Ordinary Session, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 1996 the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has further emphasized that it is the duty of States Parties to the African Charter to take the necessary measures to preserve and protect the credibility of the electoral process. In order for citizens to participate freely in elections, the authorities are responsible for ensuring that all the rights that are pivotal to such participation can be enjoyed by all without discrimination. As a consequence of persistent, long-term and systematic violations of human rights and the government’s repeated and deliberate failure to bring to justice those who commit serious human rights violations, Amnesty International does not believe that all Zimbabweans are currently able to participate in the election process freely and without fear. Amnesty International is making the following recommendations to governments and intergovernmental bodies sending election monitors to Zimbabwe. Amnesty International 15 March 2005 AI Index: AFR 46/003/2005