cooperate with international legal mechanisms. Litigation must not only focus on the state actors or their agencies but must also push for accountability in non-state actors, individuals and corporations. to support accountability based on its duty to prosecute or extradite offenders; e. There must be no immunity to accused offenders of serious crimes; f. No statute of limitations must apply to serious crimes under international law; g. Amnesties are inconsistent with state's obligation to provide criminal accountability under international law; h. No double jeopardy; i. Where local mechanisms cannot be preferred, international mechanisms must used 4. Restorative Justice a. Justice processes should incorporate restorative approaches in both civil a n d c r i m i n a l l aw a n d w h e r e necessary traditional justice methods. b. Traditional methods should not recreate courtroom processes and legal rigidities. c. Community approaches must be preferred where both sides are in agreement for minor violations 5. Civil Litigation a. National court processes must 10 b. During trials, victims must be prepared adequately before trial. International best practices must be used in working with victims. c. There must be no prescription for civil claims in grave human rights violation cases. 6. General a. In both criminal and civil cases, justice and accountability processes must take into account the issue of command responsibility; b. The needs of communities affected by past violations must be addressed given past inequalities; c. Where applicable, traditional justice systems and alternative dispute resolution methods must be promoted; and, d. The language of justice must be decoded to speak to the needs of affected communities taking into account the context and needs of the communities including issues of social justice Guiding Principles for Transitional Justice Policy and Practice in Zimbabwe