ZLHR seeks to ensure that communities,
through greater awareness and the use of the
law (litigation), are equipped to access their
constitutional, social, economic and civil rights
and, in the longer term, demand for more
substantive and meaningful participation in
governance issues, thus holding state and
non-state actors accountable for their actions.
ZLHR acknowledges the crucial role in society
played by informed, empowered communities
that assert their rights in promoting active
citizenship. Through increasing awareness of
the remedies in the Constitution during Mobile
Legal Clinics, and taking on public interest,
strategic and constitutional litigation, ZLHR
will not only breathe life into the Constitution but also provide communities - especially
the rural and peri-urban populations – with a
chance to contribute to and influence the evolution of strengthened governance systems in
the country. In the long term, service delivery,
public services accountability, social and economic justice will become issues that communities increasingly engage with, demand and
obtain.
the police, the National Prosecuting Authority,
and the Judiciary to contribute towards improved accountability and changed attitudes
and practices. It also aims at enhancing the
oversight role of Parliament and constitutional
commissions (particularly the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission) in holding the
other arms of government accountable to the
constitutional ethos. This programme also
contributes to research around strengthening
the Constitution through policy and legislative
reform, with information being disseminated
to various stakeholders from community to
national level.
33 Institutional Strengthening and
Accountability Programme:
This priority area seeks to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of state institutions in
delivering on their mandate in order to remain
accountable to the public. Through various activities, ZLHR seeks to ensure increased public
awareness and scrutiny of the key rule of law
state institutions, particularly those involved
in justice delivery. ZLHR specifically focuses on
Irene Petras captures notes during a Mid Year Strategic Planning Meeting
7
ZLHR Annual Report 2015
33 Access to Justice Programme: