The ACHPR passed the decision at its just ended 13th extraordinary session which was held in Banjul, The Gambian capital from 19 to 25 February 2013 after scrutinizing the country’s voting laws, which prevent Zimbabweans living in foreign countries from participating in polls. The decision of the ACHPR followed a complaint filed on 27 December 2012 by ZLHR acting on behalf of Shumba, Muchemwa, Chamunorwa, Zimbudzana and Chikohwero against the Republic of Zimbabwe, which is a State party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. On 4 September Human Rights Watch announced that the incoming government should take concrete steps to fulfill the country’s human rights obligations. In a letter to President Robert Mugabe, HRW identified key human rights priorities in its letter. They included the need to reaffirm the rights provisions in the new constitution, ensure justice and accountability for past abuses, uphold activists’ rights to organize and operate freely without government harassment, and strengthen the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission36. On 22 November, following the acquittal of Abel Chikomo, Amnesty International told the Zimbabwean authorities not to let such conduct by police tarnish the new government’s pledges to improve their human rights record and urged the government to end and publicly denounce the malicious use of spurious charges and trials against human rights defenders. Abel Chikomo has consistently denied the charges against him. His trial had many false starts and postponements before being revived in the run-up to elections in July 201337. On 25 November Amnesty International released a new report, to mark 100 days of the new government in Zimbabwe. The report reflects on Zimbabwe’s human rights record and makes recommendations on how it can be improved in the coming five years. There is a particular focus on the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, the rights of survivors of forced evictions and the need to abolish the death penalty. In its introduction the Reports reads, ‘As the new government of Zimbabwe approaches its first 100 days in office, Amnesty International reflects on the country’s human rights record and outlines some of the opportunities available to the ZANU-PF government to improve it. The government’s term started on 22 August, when President Robert Mugabe took oath of office for a new five-year term, following the harmonized elections held on 31 July. President Mugabe’s ZANUPF party received more than a two-thirds majority in the eighth parliament of Zimbabwe, which was sworn in on 17 September. This report urged the new government to take concrete steps to fulfil its international legal obligations and commitments relating to economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. These steps should include, but are not limited to, measures to: 1. Immediately impose an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty, and commute all death sentences. 2. Repeal or amend all laws not consistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe that was adopted on 22 May 2013. 3. Improve the operating environment for human rights defenders, opposition parties and every person in Zimbabwe to enable them to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. 4. End forced evictions and ensure the full and effective enjoyment of the right to adequate housing, including pursuing effective remedies for those people affected by the 2005 mass forced evictions (known as Operation Murambatsvina) and other cases of forced evictions that have taken place. 5. Continue with the institutional reforms that started under the Government of National Unity to ensure that all government institutions, including law enforcement agencies, operate in a professional and non-partisan manner and respect international human rights standards. 36 http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/09/04/zimbabwe-human-rights-agenda-president-mugabe 37 http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/zimbabwe-s-acquittal-activist-small-step-against-climate-intimidation-2013-11-22 62