4. PREFACE 4.1. Legal and policy framework offenders where human rights or freedoms have been violated; The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission h) to direct the Commissioner- General of (ZHRC) is the National Human Rights Police to investigate cases of suspected Institution (NHRI) for Zimbabwe set up by the criminal violations of human rights or Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment (No. freedoms and to report to the Commission 20) Act, 2013 (Sections 232 and 242) and the on the results of any such investigation; Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Act i) to recommend to Parliament effective [Chapter 10:30], for purposes of promoting, measures to promote human rights and protecting and enforcing human rights. It freedoms; is a hybrid institution with a dual mandate j) To conduct research into issues relating following its assumption of the functions of to human rights and freedoms and social the now defunct office of the Public Protector. justice; and The Commission derives its mandate for its k) To visit and inspectwork from section 243 of the Constitution of i. prisons, places of detention, refugee Zimbabwe which provide for the functions as camps and related facilities; and follows; ii. places where mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped persons a) to promote awareness of and respect for are detained; human rights and freedoms at all levels of society; In order to ascertain the conditions under b) to promote the protection, development which persons are kept there, and to make and attainment of human rights and recommendations regarding those conditions freedoms; to the Minister responsible for administering c) to monitor, assess and ensure observance the law relating to those places. of human rights and freedoms; d) to receive and consider complaints from 4.2. Financial Vote Status the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers UN Principles relating to the status of National appropriate; Institutions for the Promotion and Protection e) to protect the public against abuse of of Human Rights (Paris Principles) regard the power and maladministration by the State financial autonomy of National Human Rights and public institutions and by officers of Institutions (NHRIs) as crucial to their effective those institutions; discharge of duty. In line with this requirement, f) to investigate the conduct of any authority the ZHRC was granted independent vote or person, where it is alleged that any of status in January 2016 by the Government the human rights and freedoms set out in of Zimbabwe. The Commission is grateful for the Declaration of Rights has been violated this support and appreciates the lobbying by by that authority or person; various stakeholders including the Parliament g) to secure appropriate redress including of Zimbabwe that contributed to this milestone recommending the prosecution of achievement. This financial independence Protecting, Promoting and Enforcing Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 7