reviewing national policies on security, defense and law and order as well as ensuring that all operations of the security forces comply with the constitution and other laws.22 The NSC has not had any impact on Zimbabwe’s security sector as the body has failed to provide civilian oversight to the security forces. Instead, the Joint Operations Command (JOC), comprising Mugabe and the heads of the security forces but without representation from the MDC leadership, continues to meet to discuss and decide on national security issues on overtly partisan lines.23 In 2008 Human Rights Watch found that the JOC was responsible for orchestrating widespread violence throughout the country, including through organizing, planning, and perpetrating violence that led to the killings of hundreds of perceived MDC activists and supporters and the beating, torture, and forced displacement of thousands more.24 On a number of occasions since the formation of the unity government Mugabe and Tsvangirai have jointly issued public statements condemning political violence but with no corresponding actions to dismantle the infrastructure of violence and end impunity.25 The Constitution-Making Process As prescribed by the GPA the unity government established a Constitution Select Committee of Parliament (COPAC) to lead a constitution-making process with explicit steps including: public consultation hearings; writing a draft constitution; debating the draft constitution in parliament; holding a referendum; and then, if approved, submitting it to parliament for ratification. The entire process was set to be completed within 18 months, but has dragged on for more than 36 months. The process of public consultations on the draft constitution was marred by intimidation and violence leading to the disruption and cancellation of at least 23 constitutional outreach meetings in Manicaland and Harare.26 22 National Security Council Act, art. 4. 23 “Mugabe meets Service chiefs behind PM’s back,” The Standard, October 1, 2012, http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2012/10/01/mugabe-meets-service-chiefs-behind-pms-back/ (accessed October 1, 2012). 24 Human Rights Watch, “Bullets for Each of You”: State-Sponsored Violence since Zimbabwe’s March 29 Elections, June 9, 2008, http://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/06/09/bullets-each-you. 25 “Heed President’s Anti-Violence Call,” The Herald, August 14, 2012. 26 “Guns used to disrupt outreach meetings,” The Zimbabwean, September 18, 2010, http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/human-rights/34270/-guns-used-to-disrupt-outreach-meetings-.html (accessed 15 November 2012). 13 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JANUARY 2013