THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 “Good intentions don’t work, but mechanisms do.” -Jeff Bezos This report is an audit of Zimbabwe’s progress towards fulfillment of human rights obligations established by the Constitution and any other instruments and statutes relevant to the human rights agenda. As is clear from this report, Zimbabwe is not walking the talk and lags in implementing the obligations and commitments set out in its own constitution. The magnitude of violations experienced in 2017 is an indictment on any claims of progress that the government may present to the international community. What makes this situation deplorable is that the greatest assaults on fundamental freedom is a result of acts of commission and not omission the State, like unlawful and corrupt destruction of shelter for over 900 families by the police. The solution therefore calls on the State to stop perpetrating violations and this does not require any financial resources. On the same note, it is clear in this report that the answer to the realization of human rights set out in the constitution lies not in government alone, but in building a partnership for human rights that brings together both state and non-state actors. It takes more than just good intentions but mechanisms for ensuring that the rights guaranteed in our law become a living reality for our country.The Forum expresses its commitment in working with the government in ensuring greater protection and respect for human rights. We share here some of the measures which can be adopted to achieve a society in which human rights are respected. 62 1 2 3 Dismantling the pillars of impunity. The perpetrators named in this report are mainly apparatus of the state and persons that are politically connected. They are named in every subsequent report. Since Murambatsvina, political actors have used the local municipalities as tools of violence. They continue to be perpetrators because the political actors protect them. This is the depth of impunity. Unless these institutions are held accountable at institutional level and justice is upheld, such institutions will continue to perpetrate. Unmasking the actors behind institutions of violence and pursuing justice. Institutions that are named repeatedly in human rights reports continue doing so because the individuals that drive such institutions are not held accountable at a personal level. As a result, there is no cost paid for the violence they cause. A thorough accountability audit must be carried and those responsible for driving the institutions of violence and executing unlawful instructions must be held accountable at personal level. Fiscal accountability reporting. For decades now, the government of Zimbabwe is not used to being asked what kind of mega deals they entered. New measures for auditing public finance management must be developed together with all stakeholders. Parliament and civil society must play a significant role to ensure that every deal that the government enters into is transparent and its terms and obligations are understood by the people of Zimbabwe.