highlighted in the last few weeks, where we have witnessed court orders being disregarded by state authorities and the judiciary becoming complicit in condoning such a culture of contempt and impunity. ZLHR has no hesitation in concurring with the Special Envoy‘s conclusion that the High Court has failed ―to safeguard the right of the victims of the Operation and that there has been a regrettable failure by members of the Bench to remain independent from the national and local politics of the day‖. It is hoped that the government will consider the contents of this well-researched and comprehensive Report with the gravity it deserves, and will act swiftly to implement the recommendations, thus assuring the Zimbabwean nation, as well as the international community, that it takes its responsibilities under national and international law seriously and is committed to the preservation of the rule of law and administration of justice, adherence to minimum international norms and standards, and the economic, social and cultural uplifting of all the people of Zimbabwe. ZLHR has come reservations on government‘s commitment to such a process, in light of the fact that the recommendations have thus far been ignored, and demolitions and destruction of property and livelihoods continues unabated around the country, and in particular at Porta Farm. State authorities can act to reassure the nation by ceasing these human rights violations immediately and publicly asserting their intention to implement all recommendations as a matter of urgency. In addition the Judiciary should consider seriously the implications of the conclusions reached by the UN Special Envoy and act publicly and decisively to assure the nation that they will protect the human rights of all people in Zimbabwe without fear or favour, thus restoring confidence in the justice delivery process. Statement by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum on the Report on “Operation Murambatsvina” by the UN special Envoy on Human Settlement Issues in Zimbabwe. Date: 26 July 2005 The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum welcomes the timeous publication of the report on the recent ―Operation Murambatsvina‖ (Restore Order) by the UN Special Envoy and her team. The Report records the effects of the humanitarian disaster inflicted on the poorest and most vulnerable sections of the population in the height of winter and purportedly in the interests of arresting disorderly or chaotic urbanization, reversing inappropriate urban agricultural practices and stopping illegal foreign currency dealings. The Secretary General of the United Nations himself describes ―Operation Murambatsvina‖ as a ―catastrophic injustice……carried out indiscriminately and with disquieting indifference to human suffering‖. In her ―profoundly distressing report‖, the Envoy records that the Operation ―render (ed) people homeless and economically destitute on an unprecedented scale‖ and that ―in addition to the already significant pre-existing humanitarian needs, additional needs have been generated on a large scale particularly in the shelter, water, sanitation and health sectors‖ The Operation was carried out in a military fashion by the police and army with minimal notification from the authorities and in contravention of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory. An ―estimated 700 000 people in cities across the country lost either their homes, their source of livelihood or both‖, which has indirectly ―affected 2.4 million people…..in varying degrees‖ While the Zimbabwe Government is said to have permitted unfettered access by the Mission to all areas, its response to the report has been characteristically critical, dismissive and accusatorial.