The Global Political Agreement Envisioned Reforms The Global Political Agreement outlines the key reforms necessary for implementation by the unity government to improve the human rights environment and create conditions necessary for democratic elections. These reforms include a parliament-led process to draft a new constitution; promotion of equality, national healing and unity; introduction of police training programs on matters relating to the rights to freedom of assembly and association; prioritizing a legislative agenda to reflect the letter and spirit of the GPA; renouncing politically motivated violence; and ensuring that the government applies the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to justice.4 The GPA also guarantees free political activity, urges respect for the rule of law, and commits the unity government to work in a manner that guarantees the full implementation and realization of the rights to freedom of association and assembly and the promotion of freedom of expression and communication. On July 6, 2011, negotiators from the three parties in the unity government agreed, in consultation with the SADC facilitator for Zimbabwe, to a roadmap to free and fair elections containing a number of GPA reforms.5 The purpose of the roadmap was to define “milestones and signposts that must be executed and implemented before the next election,” including the constitutional process, media reform, electoral reform, rule of law, freedom of association and assembly, a legislative agenda, and logistical preparations for the actual election, including voter registration and accreditation of observers. The roadmap noted areas of disagreement and deadlock among the political parties with regards to fundamental reforms that would, if implemented, effectively transform Zimbabwe’s political and human rights environment. The main areas of disagreement 4 Signatories to the Global Political Agreement undertook to prioritize legislative reforms necessary to implement the unity government’s agreed human rights reforms and policies to entrench democratic values and practices. 5 “Zimbabwe Elections Roadmap with Timelines,” Harare, Zimbabwe, July 6, 2011. RACE AGAINST TIME 8