Systematic human rights violations by Zimbabwe?s government have made free participation in this month?s parliamentary polls impossible, Amnesty International said. The human rights watchdog, a frequent critic of President Robert Mugabe?s government, released a wide-ranging report on Zimbabwe?s human rights situation which it said it would present to international observers ahead of the March 31 vote.

?Persistent, long-term and systematic violations of human rights and the government?s repeated and deliberate failure to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible means that Zimbaweans are unable to take part in the election process freely and without fear,? Kolawole Olaniyan, director of Amnesty?s Africa programme, said in a statement. ?The climate and intimidation and harassment in which the elections are planned is a serious matter for international concern.?

Mugabe?s government has rejected criticisms of its human rights record, which it calls part of propaganda campaign waged by Western powers opposed to its policy of seizing white-owned farms to give to landless blacks. Political analysts say the elections are almost certain to return Mugabe?s ZANU-PF to power, prolonging a political and economic crisis that has ruined the once prosperous southern African country.

<B>Media and security laws</B>

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) concedes that levels of political violence are lower this year than in past elections, which both the MDC and some international observers have charged were marred with serious irregularities. MDC leaders nevertheless say Zimbabwe?s tight media and security laws continue to tilt the political playing field heavily in favour of Mugabe?s ZANU-PF.

Amnesty International said it based its assessment on a mission to Zimbabwe in February which found evidence of arbitrary arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates and supporters, manipulation of food supplies for political ends and severe restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression. It said at least eight MDC candidates including the party?s director of elections had been detained this year, while other MDC supporters had been beaten or seen their homes burned.

The state Grain Marketing Board, in charge of distributing Zimbabwe?s main staple maize, has continued to manipulate food distribution to disadvantage opposition supporters, Amnesty International said. ?The use of implicit threats and non-violent tactics to intimidate opposition supporters is widespread,? Olaniyan said. ?Given past acts of reprisal against opposition voters including eviction, assault and denial of food, such tactics create a pervasive climate of fear and threat.? Mugabe ? who has vowed to ?bury? the opposition in the vote ? has said ZANU-PF?s electoral strength reflects the refusal of most Zimbabweans to accept the MDC, which he calls a stooge of Zimbabwe?s Western enemies.

<B>Andrew QUINN</B>