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Bulawayo Agenda
August 09, 2012

Public endorses Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill

More than 200 members of the public yesterday (08/08/2012) endorsed the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill in a public meeting organised by Bulawayo Agenda at the Small City Hall.

The meeting was a response to the public outcry on that the Commission shall address human rights violations from February 2009 onwards, leaving past violations unaddressed.

Honourable Deputy Minister of Justice Obert Gutu told the participants that the draft constitution provides for the creation of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission which shall address past violations.

The meeting brought together the public and various stakeholders who included government officials, political party representatives and human rights lawyers to discuss the recently passed Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill.

These were speakers Deputy Minister of Justice Honourable Obert Gutu, Political party representatives Joshua Mhambi (MDC), Steven Nkiwane (ZAPU) and human rights lawyers Kucaca Phulu and Josephat Tshuma

Endorsing the Bill, the participants said this was a positive move as there was never such a Bill before although the Bill has various gaps that give the Minister of Justice too much power and control over the Commission.

The Bill has been under debate for the past two years, which has hindered the operations of the Commission since its establishment in 2009. This is the same Bill where there was violence during the public consultation stages in Bulawayo last year.

ZANU PF likely to seek further amendment of the draft constitution

The Speaker of Parliament told more than 35 civic leaders that ZANU Pf is likely to seek further amendment to the draft constitution as it is not happy with some of its provisions.

He said this at a Constitution Briefing meeting organised by Bulawayo Agenda and the Matabeleland Constitutional Reform Agenda (MACRA) yesterday (08/08/2012).

The meeting was meant to get feedback from the speaker on progress and challenges on the constitution making process.

Part of the civic leaders who attended the meeting came from MACRA, Christian Alliance, WOZA, Habakkuk Trust and Church leaders.

The leaders remain concerned about ZANU PF's reluctance to come up with a position on the proposed draft constitution as this has stalled the constitution making process.

It is three weeks since COPAC co-chairpersons released a second draft of the constitution for public scrutiny which has been endorsed by two MDC formations.

According to media reports, ZANU PF agrees to 97% of the draft constitution contents although it has not made its position yet.

After endorsement by the three political parties, a second Stakeholder Conference followed by the referendum.

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