ZIMBABWE: FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY It needs to be recognized that even at the best of times Zimbabwe’s prisons barely comply with minimum international standards, and a civil society serious about the protection of human rights across the board cannot overlook the problem of the country’s penal institutions. In the past some local NGOs have attempted to work with the authorities to inculcate prison officers with at least a basic understanding of human rights norms, as well as trying to inform prisoners of their (theoretical) legal rights. These modest attempts have long since been abandoned given Zanu-PF’s concerted and consistent attacks on all aspects of civil society, and the bridges will have to be re-built. However, more needs to be done, and again the concept of some sort of independent authority that could concentrate on protecting prisoners from gross ill treatment should be seriously examined. The Summary refers to the establishment of a Human Rights 37 Commission (HRC) as an important instrument to protect citizens against future violations. This is not a new idea, and was proposed in the 1999 draft Constitution prepared by the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA). Many of today’s human rights organizations were involved in the NCA, so it was consistent for them to repeat the call for such a body at the symposium. Once more, whether a HRC will actually achieve the worthy aims which it undoubtedly ought to will depend not only on the clarity and breadth of its remit but the commitment of a new Government to consistently support such an organ. Much of what has been said about the establishment, staffing, resources and independence of the TJRC applies with equal force to other institutions being mooted to act as checks and balances against the abuse of human rights, including watchdogs to monitor the police and prisons, and a HRC. Creating such bodies through legislation should not be particularly irksome or even controversial, but if they then become sinecures for political cronies, they will be nothing but a waste of money. This is what has happened with the office of the Ombudsman, 37 (Appendix II), p. xv. 28