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Disruption of public hearings will not deter people's resolve for a genuinely independent Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC)
Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ)
July 27, 2011

The disruption of Parliamentary public hearings to seek people's views on the recently gazetted Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Bill vindicates our view that ZANU PF is not at all interested in genuine democratic reforms and the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The Centre for Community Development In Zimbabwe (CCDZ) strongly condemns the behaviour of the misguided political activists who descended on legislators and journalists during the public hearings.

Our investigations show that some of these rowdy elements are the same people who were bused to disrupt COPAC public hearings on the new constitution in Harare late last year. These same people continue to act with impunity because they know that they have protection from the highest political offices. The violence perpetrated against parliamentarians was planned and systematic. Much to our shock, horror and gravy concern, the Zimbabwe Republic Police did not take appropriate action against these rowdy elements who were chanting ZANU PF slogans and singing the so-called revolutionary songs. Police only intervened in Harare when Members of Parliament and journalists were assaulted.

Notwithstanding these acts of lawlessness and intimidation, CCDZ reiterates its position regarding the establishment of the Zimbabwe National Human Rights Commission. Regarding the establishment of the ZHRC, CCDZ continues to demand that:

• The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission must be truly independent, impartial and answerable to Parliament and not the Executive.
• The ZHRC Commissioners must be appointed by the Head of State from names debated and agreed to in Parliament.
• The ZHRC Commissioners must enjoy security of tenure.
• The Commission's mandate must be broad to allow proper discharge of its duties including protection and promotion of human rights for all.
• The Commission must have quasi-judicial powers to investigate human rights atrocities and recommend prosecution including investigating the Gukurahundi massacres and bring the perpetrators to justice.
• The finances of ZHRC be set and determined by Parliament.
• Political activists must not be allowed to serve in the commission in any capacity or conduct any of the commission's work.

The establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and all other national commissions like the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Media Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission must be enshrined in the new constitution. It is important to give these institutions the protection of the law and protect them from the whims of politicians.

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