Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan 2015-2020 10.5 ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY AND REMEDIES The effectiveness of the ZHRC hinges on its ability to fully execute its mandate as outlined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. While scarcity of resources poses an imminent threat to the effectiveness of the Commission in general, the Constitution of Zimbabwe, to a large extent, provides the ZHRC with adequate powers, rights, tools and mechanisms with which to enforce the laws necessary for the fulfillment of human rights and administrative justice. 10.5.1 Settlements and Remedies to victims - Closely related to the issue of enforcement mechanisms is the aspect of the Commission’s capacity or influence in providing remedies or restitution to victims. In the interests of justice, the ZHRC will play a leading role in ensuring that all victims of human rights violations are equitably compensated, or otherwise remedied, where appropriate. (Action Plan Ref: Output 2E) 10.5.2 Integrity and Courage of Commissioners - Over and above the mechanisms and powers provided by the supreme law for the ZHRC to enforce the law effectively, the performance of the Commission will ultimately be a function of the integrity and courage of the Commissioners themselves. The Constitution provides for adequate security of tenure and other protection measures for Commissioners. The Commissioners are distinguished citizens of high integrity. Courage and fearless commitment to the advancement of human rights and administrative justice are culture elements that form part of the Commission’s shared core-values. 10.5.3 Funding of Remedies – The Commission will encourage Government through systematic legislative advocacy to set up and develop a basket fund through which to mobilise a pool of financial resources to support the payment by the State of financial remedies, where appropriate. (Action Plan Ref: Output 2E) 10.6 IMPARTIALITY OF THE ZHRC The Commission upholds its Constitutional duty to be impartial and fair in its conduct, and will exhibit no prejudice or favour in the execution of its mandate. Members of the Commission are persons of high integrity with no affiliations to any political parties or groupings. 10.6.1 Risk of Political Manipulation – in order to avert the risk of political manipulation of or such other undue external interference with the Commission or any of its members, the ZHRC will be a transparent and accountable institution in the eyes of the public and all its stakeholders. The Commission will work closely with both State and non-state actors, and will not align itself with NGOs, CSOs nor with Government. (Action Plan Ref: Output 11A) 24

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