37 In terms of protecting citizens’ equality and their ability to control decision makers, the victims stated that it is essential to lobby for a new constitution; one that respects the separation of powers, as the executive cannot be the maker, the interpreter, and the enforcer of the law all at the same time. The environment should be made conducive for citizens to exercise their basic freedoms, and there should be respect for the rule of law. It is necessary to promote a culture of tolerance and non-violence in communities, and opposition political parties should be protected at law and treated with respect. Opposition political parties should be seen as partners in development who will serve as a check mechanism to government performance. Draconian laws have to be removed, and citizens must lobby for the equal treatment of all political parties, as well as for the depoliticising the police and the army. Access to information is very important to functioning democracy, and here the participants stated that citizens must lobby for the removal of AIPPA and the overhaul of the media commission. There must be transparent accreditation of journalists, and the independent media should be treated in the same manner as the state media. The ruling party has to realise that if they are being criticised it does not necessarily mean that the critic is looking to take their place; they must be willing to accept constructive criticism and that the independent media is not an extension of the opposition. Promotion of the culture of investigative journalism is required, as this will uncover issues of corruption and the government’s expenditure, as well as the casualties and expenditure in, say, involvement in a foreign military intervention. Community radio stations should be started that will provide accurate information, and, these, and other community based organisations, should be encouraged and funded by the state without them trying to control these organisations. The participants felt that it very important to respect human rights and to lobby human rights organisations to help fight perpetrators and continue to challenge perpetrators of violence in court56. However, they also saw the need to prevent violence and establish peace. Here they felt that it was necessary to set up peace structures, and to support organisations involved in peace initiatives like the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform (ZLP) and the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET). Solutions to the socio-economic rights were said to include encouraging women to participate through women’s rights organisations, and to provide advocacy for affirmative action here. The issue of violence also needs to be addressed, because, in Zimbabwe, if women demonstrate, they are beaten up just like men, so they are afraid to get involved. The health and education sectors have to be revamped with government providing adequate salaries for the professionals working in there. The budget allocations have to lessen funds going to security and defence and concentrate on the basic issues. The fact that the unemployment rate is more than 70% is unacceptable, and this is encouraging lawlessness in the communities as people are frustrated with their lives and are looking for an outlet. 56 Amani Trust has reported on documented court cases of perpetrators of organised violence before and during the June 2000 Parliamentary Elections, in a study entitled “ Heroism in the Dock: Does testifying help victims of organised violence and torture?” May 2002. IDASA: Zimbabwe at the Cross-Roads: Views of Zimbabwean citizens on democracy and transitional justice.