4. Continue with the institutional reforms that started under the Government of National Unity to ensure that all government institutions, including law enforcement agencies, operate in a professional and non-partisan manner and respect international human rights standards. For example, and without limitation, government must ensure that the Zimbabwe Republic Police fully respects and protects all the rights contained in the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution, including by: (a) conducting all its operations on a non-partisan basis; (b) fully upholding the rights of all arrested persons in line with Section 50 of the Constitution; and (c) training anti-riot police on how to police non-violent demonstrations in line with international standards. The government must ensure the independence of the judiciary by fully implementing the Judicial Services Commission code of ethics. 5. Fulfil all commitments made by the government during the Universal Periodic Review of Zimbabwe in March 2012 and subsequent thereto such as acceding and domestication of the International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“UNCAT”) and its First Optional Protocol and also immediately impose an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty, and commute all death sentences. 6. Institute election related reforms. This should include accepting, ratifying and domesticating the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance (The African Charter on Democracy) that came into force on 15 February 2012 Secondly implementing institutional and technical measures to ensure that future elections have integrity and that they meet both regional and international standards. This may include but without limitation, implementation of biometrics technology. 7. Pursue a rights based approach to the economy in order to advance the national objectives in the constitution based on the concept of progressive realization of all economic and social rights as spelt out in the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Geneva Programme of Action of 1993. 8. Advance and institutionalize the human rights values of participation and citizens’ engagement as the next step in the process of constitutional renewal, creation of a constitutional culture, definition of national values and ensuring that government policy is underpinned by collective national aspirations. The dialogues, for example, could be rooted in the existing frameworks such as the proposed constitutional outreach. Recommendations to the international community Principles & Considerations 1. Under all circumstances first, second and third diplomatic channels should be given a chance. 2. There is need for multi-level dialogues on various issues. For example, while acknowledging that the government hasn’t done much to institute reforms, the European Union should consider moving beyond article 96 to article 8 dialogue. There should also be an article 13 dialogue. 3. High level first track engagements must ideally be based on reciprocity and concessions and where such concessions are made, the same should be accompanied by clear, verifiable and transparent programmes of action. 4. Decisions must balance principle, evidence and reality, the overarching consideration being the plight of the ordinary Zimbabweans. 5. Being perceived as rewarding bad conduct discourages those working on reforms and emboldens and encourages human rights violations 6. There is need for clear messaging spelling out reasons for decisions.