CHAPTER 17 THE FUTURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ZIMBABWE: PROSPECTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Zimbabwe has the gift of a progressive, homegrown 2013 Constitution. While a lot can be revisited and readjusted, the Constitution remains significantly progressive, with an expansive and justiciable Declaration of Rights. Independent watchdogs to democracy are created, as are institutions of government designed to provide checks and balances. In the Constitution, democracy is entrenched. However, on paper, the Constitution remains an ideal and a vision; it is not self-executing. It must be accompanied by action for the aspirations tabulated therein to be consummated. The record of human rights in 2018 is far from ideal, though progress has been made on some aspects from previous years. The violations are shocking and disappointing, across the board. State complicity is evident and widespread. Political polarisation has proved cancerous. This has been made more acute by a failing economy, resulting in underfunding of human development and provision of basic service delivery. As glim and gloomy the picture may be, there are significant opportunities to redefine a new culture of human rights in the country. The constitutional framework is a great starting point. Against this background, the following recommendations are made: Dialogue and Unity of Purpose only require political will: Stopping harmful behaviour by the government and its institutions. There must be political will to adhere to best practices in human rights and to implement the Constitution to which public officials swear allegiance to, and which is the social contract by which Zimbabweans wish to be government. The investment in developing a new Constitution was staggering, and it can only make sense if that Constitution is respected and implemented. Currently Zimbabwe is in political crisis; there is no national agenda and unity of purpose. Political leaders in government are not having dialogue with each other in shaping the policy vision. The state is not having dialogue with its citizens preferring hide and seek tactics. Labour and civil society have been excluded in the ongoing so-called dialogue. There is urgent need inclusive dialogue. The state must create a culture of dialogue with its citizens. High level political dialogue remains imperative to unlock national progress. Civil society must be include in national dialogue processes. This would create an environment in which Zimbabweans broadly can dialogue and agree to create a human rights culture premised on tolerance, respect for each other, and respect of the law. Conceptualising a culture of full protection of human rights is elusive without finding each other politically. Ensure Compliance with the Constitution Devolution must be implemented. Local authorities must be empowered to champion localised developed and manage local affairs without interference. This will help redress development imbalances and neglect of certain areas. It would also help reduce unfair extraction of resources from certain areas without concomitant development evident is those areas. Institutions demanded by the Constitution Political Will 72% of the violations documented in this report do not require money to address or resolve. They 73 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018