AU delegation commends Zim

Source: AU delegation commends Zim – herald

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

AN African Union delegation is in Zimbabwe on a promotional mission to assess progress on human rights issues, with Government officials expressing optimism about the country’s engagement and compliance with continental obligations.

The delegation from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a series of meetings with Government ministries, independent commissions and civil society organisations as part of its programme across AU member States.

Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, said Zimbabwe welcomed the visit, describing it as an important platform for engagement.

“This is a promotional visit by the African Commission on People and Human Rights,” she said.

“We are very happy to have them in Zimbabwe. This promotional visit did not happen to Zimbabwe only. It is something that is happening to all the countries that are members of the African Commission of the AU.”

Mrs Nyemba said the delegation’s mission was to engage various stakeholders to assess progress on human rights issues.

“Government agencies, Government itself, the executive and even non-governmental organisations, just to find out how far we have gone in terms of issues of human rights.

“But I am very happy that when they spoke to us, they were very happy that we have got our reports. Actually, we are in order in terms of our reporting. “They also said we respond very swiftly when we are asked anything to do with human rights,” said Mrs Nyemba.

The discussions would also cover topical legislative matters.

Mrs Nyemba said the delegation has come at a time when the country is implementing issues surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

The delegation has already engaged senior Government officials, including the Speaker of Parliament and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.

“I think as they go on and on, they will be getting responses from the policymakers themselves,” she said.

Head of delegation and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah Njie, said the visit was aimed at fostering constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe on its human rights obligations.

“We are here in Zimbabwe on a promotional mission from the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

“We are here to engage in constructive dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe to discuss matters relating to monitoring and implementation of the African Charter and giving visibility to the African Charter, trying to get the perspective of the Government on the role of the African Commission.”

Comm Njie said the delegation was also assessing implementation of international and regional instruments.

“We are also here to promote the African Charter and other instruments that are issued under the Charter, see how best Zimbabwe is actually implementing these international obligations under the Charter,” she said.

The mission visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe and the Speaker of Parliament.

Said Comm Njie: “I think the discussions have been very constructive.”

She added that the delegation was following up on recommendations previously made by the African Commission.

Comm Njie also commended Zimbabwe for being up-to-date in terms of the State reporting obligation, and its timeliness in responding to orientations of activity sent from the Commission.

After its engagements, the delegation will conclude its mission with a press briefing to outline its preliminary findings.