II. Recommendations To the Government of Zimbabwe • Immediately cease organizing, managing and providing resources for the violent campaign against MDC activists and perceived MDC supporters by state security forces, ZANU-PF supporters and officials, youth militia and “war veterans.” • Take all steps necessary to ensure that the military plays a completely neutral role in the elections. Take appropriate disciplinary or legal action against military officers who fail to ensure that forces under their command act in a neutral fashion. • Demobilize and disarm the youth militia and “war veterans.” • Institute measures to end the practice of torture and other mistreatment. Ensure the police dismantle all known torture camps and bases and prosecute those responsible for torture and other mistreatment. • Ensure the police take swift and impartial action to protect all persons in Zimbabwe from human rights violations and to investigate all apparent politically motivated abuses. • Cease the politically motivated arrests of civil society activists, journalists, lawyers and election officers and observers. • Allow unfettered access to all humanitarian agencies seeking to assist displaced persons in the provinces affected by the violence. • Ensure that people have freedom of movement within Zimbabwe and that those in need of medical attention are able to seek it without any hindrance. • Cease the harassment and intimidation of medical personnel in rural district hospitals and ensure that they are able to discharge their duties in a safe and secure environment. • In accordance with international standards, convene an independent commission of inquiry to investigate alleged politically motivated crimes 5 Human Rights Watch 2008