17 treatment, and more broadly the denial of human rights (including the right to be free from hunger) of women human rights defenders. In particular, the African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community should use their position of influence as important regional actors to send a clear and unequivocal signal to the government of Zimbabwe of their disapproval of state-sponsored attacks and other violations of the rights of women human rights defenders and their male counterparts. The government of Zimbabwe should recognize the positive aspects of the work of women human rights defenders as enshrined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and should create an environment which is conducive to women human rights defenders going about their work without fear of arrest and discrimination. Women human rights defenders are an important resource for the development of the country. They are playing – and will continue to play – a pivotal role in addressing the many human rights challenges the country is facing. The government must acknowledge the legitimacy of their work and actively challenge any manifestations of gender discrimination and stereotyping against women, including physical or verbal attacks. The government must refrain from violating women’s human rights as defenders of human rights, and must prevent, investigate and punish any instances of human rights violations against them. Recommendations to the government of Zimbabwe Amnesty International urges the government of Zimbabwe to fulfil its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of human rights defenders by adopting and implementing the following recommendations: Recommendations to improve the operational environment for the promotion and protection of human rights In respect of policing, the government should: • Immediately cease all intimidation, arbitrary arrest and torture by the police, including of human rights defenders. • The Commissioner of Police, and all Zimbabwe Republic Police provincial and district • • • • commanding officers, should publicly condemn arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and ill-treatment, and unlawful use of force by police when policing peaceful assemblies. Immediately review and amend existing rules that facilitate unjustified use of force, in order to bring them into full compliance with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force or Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Specifically, the government should ensure that, where force is used against peaceful assemblies, all incidents are investigated, and prompt sanctions effected on police officials who are found to have flouted the rules. Invest in the training of officials from the Zimbabwe Republic Police in understanding and responding appropriately to crowd behaviour, and methods of persuasion, negotiation and mediation with a view to limiting the use of force and firearms in line with Basic Principle 20 of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Forces and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Where injury is caused by use of force, police must ensure that assistance and medical aid are rendered to the injured or affected person at the earliest possible moment, in accordance with Article 5 of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms. Allow detained women human rights defenders access to lawyers, medical care, food and sanitary pads. In respect of detention of pregnant women, mothers with babies and carers of children, the government should: • Operate on the basis of a general presumption against the arrest and detention of women who are pregnant or mothers or carers of children (including single mothers). At the time of arrest and detention, detaining authorities must ensure that women who are pregnant or mothers (in particular those who are breastfeeding) or carers of children are identified confidentially with a view to ensuring urgent consideration of their situation so that, where possible, they are released immediately. • Ensure that mothers (in particular those who are breastfeeding) or carers of children, who are detained, receive the support they require to arrange interim alternative care for children in their care. • Give unconditional access to the healthcare information and services required by pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, who have been detained. The special