of political expediency, and should be immediately addressed by the political parties with the help of SADC and the African Union. Continuing government restrictions on the distribution of humanitarian assistance including food aid and treatment for people living with AIDS by local and international agencies have had a devastating impact on people in the rural areas of Zimbabwe with millions of people in need of food aid. In the past the government has used food aid as a political weapon to discriminate against opposition supporters. The current suspension points to continuing attempts by the government to control the distribution of humanitarian assistance and deny it to perceived supporters of the MDC. The continuing violence, repression and suspension of humanitarian aid by ZANU-PF shows the absence of good faith in which Mugabe and ZANU-PF are participating in the current talks. The appalling human rights conditions also call into question ZANU-PF’s credibility as a political partner. The political crisis calls for more than mere facilitation by Thabo Mbeki; it requires strong and principled action by SADC leaders and SADC as an institution. SADC leaders should make it clear to Mugabe and ZANU-PF that a resolution to the crisis can only be reached if his government acts immediately to end human rights violations. The government of Zimbabwe must make concrete commitments and take clear action to improve human rights conditions on the ground if the people of Zimbabwe are to have any confidence in the political negotiations. SADC should insist on a full program of human rights reform as a part of any negotiations towards a transitional government and on measurable human rights progress. If the government of Zimbabwe fails to initiate these measures, SADC should consider excluding Zimbabwe from any future summits and meetings of the regional body. Human Rights Watch urges SADC leaders to call on the government of Zimbabwe to take the following measures without delay: 3 Human Rights Watch August 2008