Transitional Justice and Socio-Economic Rights in Zimbabwe (International Criminal Justice Series Book 24)

This book addresses the issue of corruption as a socio-economic rights concern at a national level. Zimbabwe’s widespread corruption inhibited its development in all aspects. It weakened institutions, especially those called upon to arbitrate political and economic contests, leading to potential human rights violations. However, Zimbabwe saw a change of government in November 2017. Due to this, there seemed to be an opening to work towards reform in relation to the anti-corruption architecture. Specifically, the new era provides an opportunity to review how accountability mechanisms (including but not limited to amnesties, truth commissions, institutional reforms and prosecutions) can address corruption as a socio-economic rights violation. As the new government still tries to address competing priorities, many moving parts and various matrixes, this volume in the International Criminal Justice Series provides a timely frame for revisiting the debate and developing the strategic thinking regarding transitional justice options in Zimbabwe. It will be of great interest to practitioners, policy makers, scholars and students in the fields of anti-corruption, socio-economic and human rights, and transitional justice. **Prosper Maguchu** is Visiting Assistant Professor at the Centre for the Politics of Transnational Law of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Preface 6 Acknowledgements 8 Contents 10 1 The Linkages Between Corruption and Transitional Justice 15 Abstract 15 1.1 General Introduction and Background 16 1.2 Definition and Discussion of Terms 19 1.2.1 Transitional Justice 19 1.2.1.1 What Is Transition? 21 1.2.1.2 What Is Justice? 22 1.2.2 Socio-economic Rights 23 1.2.3 Corruption 25 1.3 Accountability Mechanisms 28 1.3.1 Truth Commissions and Corruption 28 1.3.2 Prosecutions and Corruption 30 1.3.3 Amnesties and Corruption 32 1.3.4 Reparations and Corruption 35 1.3.5 Institutional Reforms and Corruption 36 1.4 Conclusion 37 References 38 2 Understanding Corruption and Human Rights 41 Abstract 41 2.1 Introduction 42 2.2 Preliminary Considerations 43 2.2.1 Is Freedom from Corruption a Human Right? 43 2.2.2 Is Corruption a Human Rights Violation? 44 2.2.3 What Links Corruption to Transitional Justice? 45 2.2.4 What Is the Distinction Between Socio-economic Rights and Issues? 46 2.3 Overview of Corruption and Human Rights Methodologies 47 2.3.1 Doctrinal-Research-Based Studies 48 2.3.1.1 Direct Violations 48 2.3.1.2 Indirect Violations 49 2.3.1.3 Remote Violations 49 2.3.2 Empirical-Research-Based Studies 50 2.3.3 Normative-Research-Based Studies 51 2.4 Corruption and Specific Human Rights vis-à-vis the Right to Health 52 2.4.1 Background 53 2.4.2 Normative Content 53 2.4.3 State Obligations and Violations 54 2.4.3.1 Article 2(1) of the ICESCR 54 2.4.3.2 Tripartite Typology 55 2.4.3.3 The ‘4 As’ Typology 57 2.4.3.4 Non-Discrimination 58 2.4.3.5 Accountability and Participation 59 2.4.3.6 Indicators and Benchmarks 59 2.5 Towards a Framework 61 2.5.1 Step One: Analyse the Situation 61 2.5.2 Step Two: Identify the Human Rights Obligations Being Violated 62 2.5.3 Step Three: Determine the Causal Link 62 2.5.4 Step Four: Attribution 63 2.6 Conclusion 64 References 64 3 The Phenomenon of Corruption and Socio-economic Rights in Zimbabwe 67 Abstract 67 3.1 Introduction 68 3.2 Corruption 68 3.2.1 Typology 68 3.2.1.1 Sporadic Versus Systemic Corruption 69 3.2.1.2 Petty Versus Grand Corruption 69 3.2.1.3 Public Corruption Versus Private Corruption 71 3.2.2 Legislative Framework 71 3.2.2.1 International Legislation 72 3.2.2.2 Primary Domestic Legislation 72 Constitution 72 3.2.2.3 Subsidiary Domestic Legislation 73 3.2.3 Policy Framework 75 3.2.3.1 Ministry of State Enterprises, Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies 75 3.2.3.2 Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission 75 3.2.3.3 Auditor-General 76 3.2.3.4 The Public Protector (Ombudsman) 77 3.2.4 Judicial Framework 79 3.2.4.1 Ordinary Courts 79 3.2.4.2 Specialised Economic Crimes Courts 79 3.2.5 Compliance and Ranking 79 3.3 Socio-economic Rights 81 3.3.1 Typology 81 3.3.2 Legislative Framework 81 3.3.2.1 International Legislation 81 3.3.2.2 Domestic Primary Legislation 82 Constitution 82 Administration of Justice Act 83 3.3.3 Policy Framework 83 3.3.3.1 Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission 83 3.3.3.2 Other Independent Commissions and Authorities 84 3.3.4 Judicial Framework 84 3.3.4.1 Ordinary Courts 84 3.3.4.2 Administrative Courts 84 3.3.5 Compliance and Ranking 85 3.4 Corruption and Socio-economic Rights Violations: The Cholera Outbreak 85 3.4.1 Hypothesis One: Politicisation 86 3.4.1.1 Facts 86 3.4.1.2 Law 87 3.4.2 Hypothesis Two: Cronyism 87 3.4.2.1 Facts 87 3.4.2.2 Law 88 3.4.3 Hypothesis Three: Prebendalism 88 3.4.3.1 Facts 88 3.4.3.2 Law 89 3.4.4 Hypothesis Four: Rent Seeking 89 3.4.4.1 Facts 89 3.4.4.2 Law 90 3.4.5 Hypothesis Five: Patrimonialism 90 3.4.5.1 Facts 90 3.4.5.2 Law 91 3.5 Conclusion 91 References 92 4 Revisiting Methods of Addressing Past Corruption and Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe 95 Abstract 95 4.1 Introduction 96 4.2 First Phase: The Post UDI Period (1965–1979) 96 4.2.1 Background 96 4.2.2 Accountability Mechanisms 98 4.2.2.1 Bingham Commission of Inquiry 98 4.2.2.2 United Kingdom Government Amnesty for Corruption 98 4.2.3 Subsequent Developments 99 4.3 Second Phase: Anti-Dissident Period (1981–1988) 100 4.3.1 Background 100 4.3.2 Accountability Mechanisms 101 4.3.2.1 The Sandura Commissions of Inquiry 101 4.3.3 Subsequent Developments 101 4.4 Third Phase: The Post-One-Party-State Period (1990–1995) 102 4.4.1 Background 102 4.4.2 Accountability Mechanisms 103 4.4.2.1 The Chidyausiku Commission of Inquiry 103 4.4.3 Subsequent Developments 103 4.5 Fourth Phase: State-Sponsored Violence Post-Mugabe (1998–2017) 103 4.5.1 Background 103 4.5.2 Accountability Mechanisms 104 4.5.2.1 Amnesty 104 4.5.2.2 Prosecutions 105 4.5.2.3 Institutional Reforms 105 4.5.2.4 Truth Inquiries 105 4.5.3 Subsequent Developments 106 4.6 Conclusion 106 References 107 5 Rethinking Ways of Dealing with Corruption Under Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe 109 Abstract 110 5.1 Introduction 110 5.2 The Civil Society and Justice in Zimbabwe Symposium 111 5.2.1 Background 111 5.2.2 Legal Basis 113 5.2.3 Mandate 113 5.2.4 Findings 114 5.2.5 Special Remarks 114 5.3 The Organ on National Healing, Integration and Reconciliation 114 5.3.1 Background 115 5.3.2 Legal Basis 115 5.3.3 Mandate 115 5.3.4 Findings 116 5.3.5 Special Remarks 117 5.4 The ILO Inquiry on Truth, Reconciliation and Justice in Zimbabwe 117 5.4.1 Background 118 5.4.2 Legal Basis 118 5.4.3 Mandate 118 5.4.4 Findings 119 5.4.5 Special Remarks 119 5.5 The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission 120 5.5.1 Background 120 5.5.2 Legal Basis 120 5.5.3 Mandate 120 5.5.4 Findings 122 5.5.5 Special Remarks 122 5.6 The National Transitional Justice Working Group of Zimbabwe 123 5.6.1 Background 123 5.6.2 Legal Basis 123 5.6.3 Mandate 124 5.6.4 Findings 124 5.6.5 Special Remarks 125 5.7 Universal Jurisdiction 125 5.7.1 Background 126 5.7.2 Legal Basis 127 5.7.3 Mandate 128 5.7.4 Findings 128 5.7.5 Special Remarks 128 5.7.5.1 African Union Anti-ICC Stance 128 5.7.5.2 Prosecuting Corruption Under the ICC Statute 130 5.8 Conclusion 132 References 133 6 Zimbabwe in a Comparative Perspective 135 Abstract 135 6.1 Introduction 136 6.2 Sub-Saharan Africa 136 6.2.1 Background 136 6.2.2 Law 137 6.2.3 Practice 138 6.2.3.1 Chad 138 6.2.3.2 Sierra Leone 138 6.2.3.3 Liberia 139 6.2.3.4 Kenya 140 6.3 Latin America 143 6.3.1 Background 143 6.3.2 Law 144 6.3.3 Practice 145 6.3.3.1 Brazil 145 6.4 Asia 146 6.4.1 Background 146 6.4.2 Law 147 6.4.3 Practice 147 6.4.3.1 Philippines 147 6.4.3.2 Bangladesh 148 6.5 Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union 149 6.5.1 Background 149 6.5.2 Law 149 6.5.3 Practice 150 6.5.3.1 Poland 150 6.6 Middle East and North Africa 151 6.6.1 Background 151 6.6.2 Law 151 6.6.3 Practice 152 6.6.3.1 Tunisia 152 6.7 Conclusion 154 References 154 7 Conclusion 157 Abstract 157 7.1 Introduction 158 7.2 Findings 159 7.2.1 Can Transitional Justice Mechanisms Address Corruption? 159 7.2.2 Is Corruption a Human Rights Violation? 160 7.2.3 Did Zimbabwe Violate Socio-economic Rights Through Corruption? 161 7.2.4 Should Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe Address Corruption? 161 7.3 Challenges 162 7.3.1 Broad Mandate 162 7.3.2 Pursuing Transitional Justice Without ‘Transition’ 163 7.3.3 Polarised Environment 164 7.3.4 Methodology 165 7.3.5 Framing Reparations 165 7.4 Recommendations 166 7.4.1 Recommendation One: Inclusivity 166 7.4.2 Recommendation Two: Consultation 167 7.4.3 Recommendation Three: Comprehensive Approach 167 7.4.4 Recommendation Four: Synergies 167 7.4.5 Recommendation Five: Strengthen Anti-Corruption Mechanisms 167 7.5 Final Conclusion 168 References 169 Table of Cases 171 Table of Legislation 173 Bibliography 176 Index 185 This book addresses the issue of corruption as a socio-economic rights concern at a national level. Zimbabwe's widespread corruption inhibited its development in all aspects. It weakened institutions, especially those called upon to arbitrate political and economic contests, leading to potential human rights violations. However, Zimbabwe saw a change of government in November 2017. In this context, there seemed to be an opening to work towards reform in relation to the anti-corruption architecture. Specifically, the new era provides an opportunity to review how accountability mechanisms (including but not limited to amnesties, truth commissions, institutional reforms and prosecutions) can address corruption as a socio-economic rights violation. As the government still tries to address competing priorities, many moving parts and various matrixes, this volume in the International Criminal Justice Series provides a timely frame for revisiting the debate and developing the strategic thinking regarding transitional justice options in Zimbabwe. It will be of great interest to practitioners, policy makers, scholars and students in the fields of anti-corruption, socio-economic and human rights, and transitional justice. Prosper Maguchu is Visiting Assistant Professor at the Centre for the Politics of Transnational Law of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This book addresses the issue of corruption as a socio-economic rights concern at a national level. Zimbabwes widespread corruption inhibited its development in all aspects. It weakened institutions, especially those called upon to arbitrate political and economic contests, leading to potential human rights violations. However, Zimbabwe saw a change of government in November 2017. In this context, there seemed to be an opening to work towards reform in relation to the anti-corruption architecture. Specifically, the new era provides an opportunity to review how accountability mechanisms (including but not limited to amnesties, truth commissions, institutional reforms and prosecutions) can address corruption as a socio-economic rights violation. As the government still tries to address competing priorities, many moving parts and various matrixes, this volume in the International Criminal Justice Series provides a timely frame for revisiting the debate and developing the strategic thinking regarding transitional justice options in Zimbabwe. It will be of great interest to practitioners, policy makers, scholars and students in the fields of anti-corruption, socio-economic and human rights, and transitional justice. -- Provided by publisher Front Matter ....Pages i-xiii The Linkages Between Corruption and Transitional Justice (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 1-26 Understanding Corruption and Human Rights (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 27-52 The Phenomenon of Corruption and Socio-economic Rights in Zimbabwe (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 53-80 Revisiting Methods of Addressing Past Corruption and Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 81-94 Rethinking Ways of Dealing with Corruption Under Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 95-120 Zimbabwe in a Comparative Perspective (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 121-142 Conclusion (Prosper Maguchu)....Pages 143-156 Back Matter ....Pages 157-175