4 THE EU BENCHMARKS General The resumption of a constructive dialogue between ZANU-PF and MDC is a key condition for the democratic life of the country, aimed at re-establishing a national consensus on all aspects of governance, human rights and economic development. The achievement of mutually agreed, satisfactory results in this context would supercede some of the recommendations below. Moves toward the implementation of these recommendations would in any case demonstrate a commitment on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe to respond to the EU’s concerns. These benchmarks are equally valid for any present or future government in Zimbabwe. Short term 1. Political intimidation and violence • • • Cessation of all forms of political intimidation and violence. Active prosecution of perpetrators. Closure of Border Gezi Training Camps and disbanding its militia. 2. Democracy and Human Rights • • • Suspension of the implementation of the provisions of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), (pending its amendment), relating to the conduct of political activities such as public meetings and demonstrations, which is limiting drastically the freedom of association and which is used as an instrument of political repression. Agreement between political parties on a code of conduct to apply in the framework of elections in accordance with the norms and standards of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. An Invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Zimbabwe to initiate an assessment of outstanding claims of human rights abuses. 3. Freedom of mass media • • Withdrawal of all existing charges against journalists under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). Suspension of the implementation of the AIPPA “pending its amendment”, to ensure full freedom of expression and removal of unnecessary restrictions on accreditation. 4. Justice • Immediate implementation of all court rulings. 5. Land reform • • • Speed up the process by which farms that do not meet the criteria, are de-listed and move all occupiers from the de-listed or non-listed farms. Enforce all bilateral agreements on Promotion and Protection of Investments. Ensure an independent audit of the land reform, with full United Nations Development Zimbabwe’s Failure to meet the Benchmarks in the Contonou Agreement