Officially opening Zimbabwe’s first session of the eighth Parliament Tuesday morning, President Robert Mugabe said his administration will complete the job of aligning laws to the new constitution and take steps to improve food production to avert hunger. As we have learnt in the past, talk is cheap when it comes to Mugabe and Zanu-PF's promises. Along with other Human Rights Organisations we hope Mugabe's government takes concrete steps to fulfill the country's human rights obligations. Human rights watch has identified the following key priorities;
- Reaffirm rights provisions in new constitution
Reaffirm the rights provisions in the new constitution, immediately amend or repeal laws as necessary to bring them in line with the new constitution, and ensure that government officials respect and protect these rights.
- Ensure accountability for past human rights abuses
Investigate cases of serious abuses, including during the 2008 elections, and prosecute those responsible in accordance with international standards. Those prosecuted should include members of the security forces implicated in killings, arbitrary detention, and torture and other ill-treatment. Provide appropriate redress to victims of government abuses.
- Uphold Rights of interested Zimbabweans and Human Rights Defenders to organize and work in civic affairs
Send a clear public message to Zimbabwe’s people that the new administration will honor its human rights obligations and not interfere with the rights of nongovernmental organizations to freely operate across the country and without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary arrest.
- Protect Media Freedom
Carry out policies that encourage, not weaken, freedom of the press. Ensure that the rights to freedom of association and assembly are fully realized, and promote free expression and communication. Amend or repeal repressive laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Public Order and Security Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
- Strengthen the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission
Take immediate steps to ensure that the legislation establishing the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission complies fully with international standards. Ensure that the commission has adequate resources and has competent, independent and non-partisan secretariat staff. Expand the commission’s mandate to allow it to investigate human rights abuses in 2008.
The government of Zimbabwe has important legal obligations under African and international human rights treaties that require it to respect the rights to life, bodily integrity, and liberty and security of the person, as well as freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.
Justice Melusi Sibanda
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch
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