Our hands are tied
Subtitle: erosion of the rule of law in Zimbabwe
By: Human Rights Watch
Publisher: Human Rights Watch
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 47
ISBN-13: 9781564324047
Subjects: Politics and government; ZANU-PF (Organization : Zimbabwe); Police misconduct; Political violence; Administration of Justice; Corrupt practices; Rule of law; Political persecution
Other titles: Erosion of the rule of law in Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe, our hands are tied
Description: Over the last decade, Zimbabwe's ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), has progressively and systematically compromised the independence and impartiality of Zimbabwe's judiciary and public prosecutors, and instilled one-sided partisanship into the police.  It has transformed Zimbabwe's police force into an openly partisan and unaccountable arm of ZANU-PF. The power-sharing agreement between ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), signed on September 15, 2008, provided an opportunity to begin fundamental changes within the judiciary and police. However, in failing to recognize the collapse of respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, the agreement sidesteps the urgent need for reforms. As this report demonstrates, ZANU-PF lacks the necessary commitment to end its improper and unlawful involvement in the justice system, let alone to be entrusted with instituting the necessary reforms.
Notes: "November 2008" -- t.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references
Table of contents: title: Summary; title: Recommendations; title: Methodology; title: Background; title: A compromised judiciary; title: Magistrates and prosecutors under pressure; title: A politicized and partisan police force; title: Restoring the rule of law and addressing accountability under a new government