JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwe&39;s election at the end of the month gives the economically depressed southern African country a chance to break from its chequered past, which was littered with human rights violations, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

“As the country holds its first elections without former president Robert Mugabe on the ballot paper, it is time for Zimbabwe to break with decades of gross human rights violations," Amnesty International said in a briefing.

"Under Mugabe’s rule, the election period was typically marred by killings, disappearances and arrests,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“With Mugabe gone, there is a real opportunity for a fresh start for Zimbabwe and a chance to break with history and ensure that human rights are fully respected in the context of the elections and beyond.”

Nonagenarian Robert Mugabe, who was forced to resign his presidency in November last year under pressure from the army, ruled over a repressive state for 37 years, forcing millions of Zimbabweans out of the country in search of a better life elsewhere.

Past elections have been characterised by human rights violations, some of which have been documented by Amnesty International and election observers.

More than 200 people were killed during the 2008 election amid violence against opposition supporters.

Amnesty International said in state-sponsored violence that began in 1984, known as Gukurahundi, about 20,000 people were killed and many others disappeared.

One of the hallmarks of Mugabe’s rule was a brutal crackdown on human rights defenders.

Journalist and pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara has been forcibly disappeared since 9 March 2015 after demanding the resignation of Mugabe for violating human rights and mismanaging the economy.

Other activists who were abducted, disappeared or killed for political reasons include Paul Chizuze, Tonderai Ndira, Patrick Nabanyama, Cain Nkala, Talent Mabika, Richard Chiminya and Better Chokururama, Jestina Mukoko, Justin Mutendadzamera, Hilda Mutendadzamera, Remember Moyo and Gilbert Moyo.

Others such as Felix Mazava and Gabriel Shumba were abducted and/or tortured before being released.

Amnesty International said since 2000 it has documented cases of excessive use of force by security forces.

"Senior Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officials have failed to denounce human rights violations by police officers, particularly beatings, torture and other ill-treatment of detainees at police stations.

Following the recent change of leadership at the ZRP, there must be a break from the impunity of the past," said the rights body.

In the past, police have used the vaguely worded Public Order and Security Act to prevent opposition party activists and civil society organizations from convening meetings to discuss human rights and governance concerns.

The police routinely used the Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act to deny perceived government opponents their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, including by using excessive force to disperse peaceful assemblies.

Other human rights issues that the briefing highlights include unresolved historic forced evictions, for example the 2005 operation Murambatsvina which displaced more than 700,000 people, and the need for politicians to commit to prioritizing women and girls’ health rights.

“Zimbabwe can only become a thriving country when human rights and the rule of law are the key guiding principles of society. Anything short of this will only shortchange the country of its full potential,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.

“Zimbabweans deserve better. All politicians must publicly commit to addressing impunity for human rights violations and put human rights first.”

Zimbabwe will hold its national elections on 30 July 2018.

The vote will combine presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.

It will be the first election without Mugabe since independence in 1980 from Britain.

The deposed 94-year-old dictator&39;s predecessor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, has promised free and fair elections and has allowed foreign observers to monitor the polls.

Mnangagwa&39;s ZANU-PF faces a stiff challenge from the MDC Alliance led by 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa who is drawing large crowds at his regular rallies.