THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 Sexual Minorities Section 56 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and the right to non-discrimination. Zimbabwe, however, has over a long time resisted the recognition of sexual minorities like the members of the LGBTIQ communities who face stigmatization and discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Section 78 of the Constitution, which prohibits same sex marriage, expresses this long standing policy. Because of this policy, members of the LGBTIQ community have been subjected to discrimination, which manifests itself in many ways, which include refusal of access to emergence health care services. Zimbabwe NGO and leading cam- paigner for LGBTIQ issues, GALZ, has in the past been raided at their offices, property confiscated and staffers arrested. The major task for Zimbabwe remains destigmatisation, leading to efforts at acceptance and respect for difference. This is better achieved through dialogue and education on sexuality and development of policy on social inclusion. In 2017, GALZ held dialogue sessions with Parliamentarians on sex, sexuality and the rights of LGBTIQ persons. However, despite these initiatives, attacks on members of the LGBTIQ community continued in 2017. Specific Cases In 2017, GALZ documented 42 cases of human rights violations against the LGBTIQ community. There were 5 cases of blackmail, which were reported directly to the police. Two cases where taken to court by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) One case was reported to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) being a case against a pastor. On matters of policy, for Zimbabwe to take its rightful place and gain respect in the international community, retrogressive and discriminatory policies, which violate its human rights obligations, must end. 36