and NGOs, has increased, principally as a result of the split within the main opposition political party, the MDC. This split has not only damaged the credibility of both MDC factions but has also left a vacuum in formalised opposition to the Mugabe government which has resulted in a heightened role for civil society. Moreover, and in support of this contention, it is not unlikely that the more than usually brutal response by State actors (often involving beatings and torture) to public protests by the larger civil society movements – the ZCTU, NCA and WOZA - in the latter half of 2006 and 2007 reflected the Zimbabwean Government’s belief that the importance of civil society groupings as a source of opposition and potential mass disturbances had increased, requiring a heavier hand to suppress these groups. A further reason for the Commonwealth to engage with appropriate civil society organisations is to enhance their organisational and technical capacity so as to enable them to effectively monitor, protect and promote human rights, democratic practices, the rule of law and good governance in a ‘new’ Zimbabwe when, hopefully, Zimbabwe’s re-admittance to the Commonwealth is in progress or has occurred. Whilst civil society organisations are at present doing courageous work in this regard and have done so for some years, it is imperative that they are fully equipped and encouraged to continue such work in a postMugabe political dispensation to ensure that fundamental rights, as reflected in the Harare Principles, are respected and that there is no return to the repressive practices of recent years. If there is one positive lesson from the experience of the last few years it is that robust and committed civil society institutions and processes, including mass education and awareness programmes on human rights and democratic principles and practices, are essential to promote and sustain democracy, peace and stability. At least in part, the absence of such vigilance by civil society from 1980 to 2000 contributed to the repressive legislative structures and governance in Zimbabwe today. The impressive number of active human rights NGOs and movements currently operative in Zimbabwe, from less than a handful in the early 1990s, is a direct response to the widespread and systematic human rights abuses since the end of that period. It is crucial that this youthful but experienced democratic resource is developed and sustained. In terms of its objectives, institutions, activities and experience in advancing democratic principles and human rights norms through education, training and awareness programmes, the Commonwealth is ideally placed to provide the necessary technical assistance and funding required to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of civil society groups in Zimbabwe to engage in activities aimed at promoting and protecting democratic practices and human rights. In this way, the Commonwealth could make a significant investment in the return and sustainability of freedom, democracy and development in Zimbabwe. Commonwealth engagement with and support for civil society organs is necessary in order to 23