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Statement on the proposed National Human Rights Commission
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
September 20, 2006

The invitation
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, including other civic organisations were invited to the above-mentioned meeting to discuss the Government of Zimbabwe's(GoZ) intention to establish a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kariba from September 21 to 24, 2006.

For several reasons that border on sincerity on both the government of Zimbabwe and the UNDP, the Coalition has declined to take the invitation.

Whilst the Coalition values the process of dialogue as a critical element of socio-political and economic transformation, the proposed Kariba meeting's content and environment do not justify the people's participation.  It does not add value to the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe.

The paragraphs below state the Coalition's view of the Zimbabwean situation and display the government's non-commitment to uphold and set a governance framework that celebrates human rights.

The Coalition's view
It is the Coalition's view that the crisis in Zimbabwe is a crisis of governance and the illegitimacy of the Zanu PF government.

On the governance aspect, the set of laws and political culture that are used by the GoZ do not enhance the effectiveness of a HRC. Laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the NGO Bill clearly show that the GoZ is not serious about the issue of human rights, let alone an effective human rights commission.

On the Police service, the world bears testimony to the current victims of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) leaders that were seriously tortured in Police custody at Matapi Police Station in Mbare on the 13th of September 2006.

Testimony of the GoZ's non-commitment to human rights
The government cannot deceive people of a "commitment" to Human Rights while it leads the race on organised torture against its citizens and recently the ZCTU leadership.

The government has ignored and in general terms dismissed the United Nations report on Operation Murambatsvina/ Restore Order and its recommendations on human rights.

The government has failed, if not refused to implement various recommendations by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (2002) which recommended that:

• "the POSA and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act should be amended to meet international standards for freedom of expression"
• "the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) appeared to operate under political instructions and without accountability to the ZRP structures" and that the Government had to "avoid any further politicisation of the police service"
• "the youth militia camps be closed down"
• "the government had failed to chart a path that signalled a commitment to the rule of law" and recommended that, "the independency of the judiciary should be assured and that court orders should be obeyed"

Our commitment
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition would continue to seek a peaceful resolution of the crisis of governance nagging Zimbabwe.  A National Human Rights Commission only becomes key and sufficient within an environment that supports fundamental freedoms and human rights.

In the meantime, we will continue to give solidarity with government's victims from Labour, the Women's movement and the Students Union whilst the government pontificates and accelerate their publicity stunts as the country gets within 18 months to the 2008 Presidential Election.

It is our strong observation that the crisis in Zimbabwe needs serious commitment on the part of both the government and non-state actors. We remain committed to working with the government on issues and programs that bring value to the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe, rather than public relation stunts by the political
actors. The African Union, the Commonwealth to which ZANU PF pulled out without the authority of Zimbabweans, the United Nations and the Zimbabwe Constitutional Commission Report (1999) clearly highlight various issues that the people of Zimbabwe want addressed.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe fact sheet

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