THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 “Access to justice is the hallmark of any civilised and democratic society.” Justice Luke Malaba, 15 January 2018 Access to Justice the resolution of disputes. Other relevant sections are listed below. Access to justice can be defined as the rights of individuals and groups to obtain quick, effective and fair responses to protect their rights, prevent or resolve disputes, and check abuse of power through a transparent and efficient process in which mechanisms are available, affordable and accountable. It is also the ability of people to seek and obtain remedy through formal and informal institutions of justice in compliance with human rights standards. The ability to access justice is important in the enjoyment of all other rights. Critical to this realization is the judiciary, which in Zimbabwe is run by the Judicial Service Commission, the prosecution that come under the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Legal Aid Directorate that provides legal aid to persons who cannot afford legal costs. Also important are institutions in whose custody persons in detention find themselves and the correctional facilities where convicted persons are committed to. Several provisions of the Constitution speak to various elements of access to justice. The Constitution in section 69(3) guarantees to every person the right of access to the courts, or to some other independent and impartial tribunal or forum established by law for These are: The right to equal protection of the law 1 section 56 (1) 2 3 The duty of the State to provide legal aid to persons who cannot afford legal representation – section 32 Rights of arrested and detained persons – section 50 4 Access to information – section 62 5 Right to administrative justice – section 68 6 Right to a fair hearing – section 69 7 Rights of accused persons – section 70 A tout man-handles a police officer who brutally assaulted him Pic Shepherd Tozvireva 52