5 Programme (UNDP) participation, as an equal partner, with a view to assessing the extent to which the programme has been implemented in a fair manner, in the interest of all the people of Zimbabwe, as agreed in the Abuja conclusions and make recommendations on how to resolve all outstanding issues including the revival of production. 6. Food and humanitarian assistance • • • Provide accurate and transparent information to donors on the food situation in the country. Remove all administrative obstacles to fast-track all pending registration of NGOs. Remove legislative and administrative obstacles, which prevent the private sector from playing its role as regards food production, imports and distribution. Work with UNDP and World Food Programme (WFP) on all aspects of food security programmes in order to dispel concerns that in some instances food and relief operations are being carried out on partisan grounds and to ensure that food reaches all vulnerable groups. Medium term • • • Incorporate all SADC Parliamentary Forum’s electoral principles in domestic law, with a view to holding free and fair elections in the presence of impartial observers. Amend AIPPA, through Parliamentary procedure, to ensure that full freedom of expression is respected. Amend POSA, through Parliamentary procedure, to ensure full freedom of association. COMMENT ON THE BENCHMARKS General 2006 has been marked by a period of political stasis. Despite the terrible suffering brought about by a collapsing economy, the ruling party continues to focus on retention of power by brutal suppression of all opposition and dissent rather than seeking to enter into dialogue with other stakeholders to seek to address the grave crisis in the country. There have been increasing levels of repression in 2006. Democratic space remains extremely restricted or closed to all those critical of the government. Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly have all but been eliminated. Public protests and demonstrations by opposition groups are invariably declared illegal by the police and are brutally suppressed.2 There are indications that the government is once again seeking ways to bring human rights 2 “You Will Be Thoroughly Beaten” The Brutal Suppression of Dissent in Zimbabwe Human Rights Watch November 2006 Volume 18, No. 10(A) Zimbabwe’s Failure to meet the Benchmarks in the Contonou Agreement