Source: VP Mnangagwa in Geneva for human rights meeting | The Herald October 31, 2016
Lloyd Gumbo in GENEVA, Switzerland
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday for the Universal Periodic Review meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council where countries in the UN periodically review each other on actions they have taken to improve human rights every four and a half years.In an interview with Zimbabwean Press on his arrival, the Vice President, who is in charge of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, said that Zimbabwe was ready for the review set for Wednesday this week.
Preliminary meetings and consultations start today. VP Mnangagwa is accompanied by Minister of State in his office Mr Clifford Sibanda, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabhiza and other senior Government officials.
The VP and his delegation were welcomed at the Geneva International Airport, by Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and World Trade Organisation, Ambassador Taonga Mushayavanhu, and other embassy staffers.
“This is mainly meant to assist the State that is being reviewed to improve and honour its commitments in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other Human Rights Conventions within the UN systems,” said Ambassador Mushayavanhu in his briefing.
“All countries that are members of the United Nations are subject to this peer review system. It covers all the 193 countries. Each year, about 42 countries are reviewed and once a review has taken place, a country then indicates what recommendations they are able to take up and which ones they are not.”
Ambassador Mushayavanhu said Zimbabwe’s review will be based on the country’s national report, reports from the UN systems and those from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other non-governmental organisations.
In his remarks, VP Mnangagwa said the 130 out of 177 recommendations that Zimbabwe adopted were under implementation.
“For the next two days, we will have meetings and consultations and as the ambassador said on the day, which is two days from now, Zimbabwe will take the floor for review. Already we have 89 countries that have fielded questions against Zimbabwe.
“Not that they are hostile, but some of the questions are seeking explanations while some seek information and we are ready for that. “Fortunately, we have had very useful preparation back home under the inter-ministerial consultative meetings, which we have been holding, which has provided us with huge and comprehensive research into the field. We believe that we will be able to represent Zimbabwe very well on Wednesday when we appear before the council,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He said some of the critical success factors in the implementation of the recommendations was alignment of existing laws to the Constitution, which culminated in the establishment of independent commissions, among others.
COMMENTS
You’re joking, right?
North Korea must be hosting the meeting.
Zimbabwe, Mugabe, Mnangagwa – they know nothing about Human Rights. ‘Comprehensive research into that field……’ does that mean that you spoke to all the peaceful protesters and journalists that were beaten and detained by ZRP?????? How’s your luxury 5* hotel, Manangawa, how’s the Blue Label and then of course there is all that fantastic Swiss food? Will you bring some home in a doggy bag for your mates.?
Mnangagwa and ZANU PF were not supposed to be invited or attend any such meetings. They know nothing of Human Rights.
What a joke. Only in Africa. A known murderer & persecutor going to a human rights conference. These Zanu PF idiots just love to fly, any excuse to be on a ndege. There is no hope for Zim & Africa.
Lordy, lordy. The lack of self awareness is interesting. Can the fellow recognize his own reflection when he looks in the mirror? Perhaps not. I will explain: Mr Emmerson people know who you are and what you have done. When you show up at a human rights meeting you may think everything is alright, but the rest of the people there are thinking “what an idiot”. I am sure you may have managed to spill some food on yourself and make inelegant remarks to complete the picture
What a great shame that the UN Human Rights Council decided to have this important meeting in Europe, Switzerland in particular. They should have come to Harare so that not only the perpetrators of human rights abusers can easily and cheaply attend the meeting (thereby saving on expensive first-class plane tickets and expensive 5* hotel accommodation), but much more importantly it would enable the multitude of Zimbabwe victims of human rights abusers to have their say. After all, aren’t they the most important part of the process? Currently it’s abit like asking the wild dogs only, to your party. Shame on you, UN. The perpetrators are the winners in your way of doing things, whilst the victims will continue to be the silent victims.
What a charade! The killer crocodile!
Mr. Vice President on Human Rights!! Who was part of the Crocodile Gang that murdered a civilian in Chimanimani about 50 years ago – in front of his wife and children? The murder victim’s name was Oberholzer. First Chihuri on corruption and now Mngangagwa human rights!! What next?
Shocked to the core that this evil,murdering piece of garbage has the audacity to attend a meeting on Human Rights.The UN once was a force in this world it is now a complete farce.Disgusted to say the least. Mngangagwa drown in your own filth and rot in Hell.