Message from the Executive Director Blessing Gorejena | Executive Director “ As the Forum embarks on the next decade, the hope is that many people will become more and more aware of their rights and raise their voices. I n t h i s re p o r t , w e h a v e documented such similar initiatives that have led to victims to rise and confront their perpetrators and demanded justice. This has been done through litigation, petitions and research aimed at exposing perpetrators. Thousands of cases have passed through our lawyers and have been argued in our courts as well as in regional courts. ” The human rights terrain in Zimbabwe has certainly shifted in the past 20 years. In some areas things have improved. We now have an expanded bill of rights and citizens have been empowered with knowledge of these rights and are claiming such rights with the help of many good people across the country. In other areas however, things have become worse. Our country finds itself sliding to worse economic times with the government showing total disregard for the rights of the people. Independent institutions have been created in the last few years with the mandate to advance human rights. Most of these institutions are a direct result of the Forum’s lobby and advocacy efforts towards strengthening the framework for greater protection of human rights in the country. The emergency of the independent commissions supporting democracy under Chapter 12 of the Constitution, has created opportunities for civil society to have more impact in human rights advocacy. New international human rights platforms have allowed us to push to reforms domestically. The UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) has been welcomed by many s t a k e h o l d e r s a s a n e ff e c t i v e t o o l f o r governments to hold each other accountable. Zimbabwe has been through the review twice starting off in 2011. The Forum’s presence in these platforms has been of positive impact. As we reflect on these milestones, we also plan on how best we can ensure to take full advantage of our new reality here in Zimbabwe following the departure of former president Robert Mugabe. We remain hopeful that better days will soon be with us and justice for victims of human rights violations will be achieved. Blessing Gorejena Executive Director 2 ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM ANNUAL REPORT 2017