Table of Contents Abbreviations 4 1. Introduction 5 Methodology 6 2. Background to the report 7 3. Impunity by design – chronicling amnesties in Zimbabwe 10 Indemnity and Compensation Act of 1975 10 Amnesty Ordinance (3) of 1979 and Amnesty (General Pardon) Ordinance (12) of 1980 10 Clemency Order of 1998 11 Clemency Order of 1995 11 Clemency Order of 2000 11 Pardons post 2000 11 4. Understanding the concept of impunity and Zimbabwe's national and international obligations 13 International Standards 13 International law and curbing impunity 14 Zimbabwe and its relationship with international law 14 Regional African Standards 15 Zimbabwe's Legal Framework 15 Legislation governing the police in Zimbabwe 16 The Police Act – fit for purpose or part of the problem 16 A Rights Based Approach to Zimbabwe's Obligations at law 17 5. The excuse based approach to policing and human rights violations in Zimbabwe 18 Who oversees the police in Zimbabwe 18 Causes of human rights violations by the police in Zimbabwe 18 Repressive legislation 19 Political meddling 19 Toxic police sub cultures 20 Following superior orders 21 Absent police oversight and complaints mechanisms 21 Lack of knowledge of human rights 22 6. The dream of justice – elusive or reachable 23 Will it ever be possible to prosecute all perpetrators? 23 Anti-Impunity Report iv