Source: Gvt commits to fulfil human rights obligations – DailyNews Live
Maxwell Sibanda 27 March 2017
HARARE – Civil society and human rights organisations in Zimbabwe present
at the 34th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHC)’s Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) process in Geneva, Switzerland this month have
welcomed government’s acceptance of a number of important recommendations
to improve the human rights situation in the country.
At the end of the review on March 16, UNHC adopted Zimbabwe’s UPR report.
Civic society organisations present are, however, saddened that despite
consistent participation by Zimbabwe in successive UPR sessions, the
situation on the ground remains dire with State authorities showing
disregard for basic freedoms, particularly the freedoms of assembly and
expression.
The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights
records of all UN member States and is a State-driven process, under the
auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for
each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human
rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights
obligations.
The Zimbabwean government, in November last year, presented its human
rights national report for its UPR and after reviewing the report – which
had input from Harare, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, civil society
organisations and UN agencies -16 out of 17 members raised issues on the
human rights situation in the country and the UNHC made a number of
recommendations.
A Zimbabwean delegation, led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa,
appeared before the UNHC on March 16 to report on these recommendations,
saying the government supported 151 out of the 260 recommendations it had
received.
Mnangagwa, who is also the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
minister, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening its legal
and policy framework as well as institutions responsible for monitoring
the human rights situation. He also spoke of government’s total commitment
to the protection and respect of human rights as enshrined in the
country’s 2013 Constitution.
Zimbabwe’s report highlights the country’s human rights record and the
measures taken by the government in protecting and promoting human rights.
During the review, Zimbabwe received 260 recommendations and supported 151
and deferred 100 for further consultation.
Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the interventions that have been made by
representatives of ZHRC and civil society operating within Zimbabwe,
saying the partnership between government and these institutions will
continue over the years as they implement the supported recommendations in
Geneva.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) director Okay Machisa
presented a joint oral statement for his organisation and International
Federation of Human Rights (FiDH) during the session saying both
institutions value the commitment by Zimbabwe to take concrete steps to
create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for human rights
defenders.
“We note the commitment from government that violence directed against
human rights defenders will not be tolerated, that perpetrators will be
held accountable… to investigate the circumstances surrounding the
disappearance of Itai Dzamara and ensure that those responsible are
brought to book,” said Machisa.
The ZimRights director said they were still concerned that human rights
defenders continue to face harassment, arbitrary arrests and torture for
exercising their freedoms to assemble and of expression.
Machisa said it is further saddening to note that after celebrating the
inauguration of a progressive Constitution that creates mechanisms for an
independent judiciary, the government immediately introduced the
Constitution Amendment Bill No. 1 which seeks to take away the same
safeguards for an independent judiciary.
“A strong and independent judiciary is critical to the building of a
strong human rights culture in any country.”
Blessing Gorejena who gave an oral statement on the adoption and on behalf
of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and Civicus said the greatest sign
of commitment by the government is not merely attending UPR sessions and
accepting recommendations.
“The ultimate evidence of commitment is positive change in the human
rights environment.
We are saddened that despite consistent participation by Zimbabwe in
successive UPR sessions, the situation on the ground remains dire with
state authorities showing disregard for basic freedoms, particularly the
freedoms of assembly and expression.”
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