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Statement by Zimbabwe during the 42nd Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples Rights
Zimbabwe Delegation
November 16, 2007

The Chairperson Madame Sanji Monageng, Honourable Commissioners, Distinguished Representatives of the Government of the Congo, Distinguished Representatives of Members of the African Union, Distinguished Representatives of Inter-Governmental Organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and all participants here present. All protocols respectfully observed.

My Delegation heartily congratulates you, Madame Sanji Monageng, for your election as Chairperson of this august organ of the African Union. We also wish to congratulate the elected and re-elected Commissioners and wish you all success in the performance of the mandate of the Commission. We fully recognize your valuable efforts to promote human rights in our continent.

Zimbabwe presented her periodic report to the 41st Ordinary session of the ACHPR held in Accra, Ghana, and noted the comments that were made by the Commission during its consideration thereof. Some of the issues that were raised by the Commission are already being addressed while the Government awaits the Concluding Observations which were adopted by the Commission during the same Session.

Since the consideration of that Report, there have been a number of events that have taken place in Zimbabwe which the Delegation now brings to the attention of the Commission.

Firstly, the Domestic Violence Bill has since become law, and an Anti Domestic Violence Council is in place. This Council is constituted of representatives of Government and Civil Society Organisations, as well as representatives of religious organizations and traditional leaders, a composition which is characteristic of the manner in which the legislation was drafted, and passed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe. Government, in consultation with Civil Society has also adopted a strategy on the implementation of the National Gender Policy and is currently training gender focal persons in Government and Parastatals. This shall be followed by the training of the private sector. In addition, the Government has held seminars on mainstreaming gender in budgeting and for the first time, the national budget is being scrutinized to ensure that it is gender sensitive.

The Government of Zimbabwe recognizes the many challenges faced by the elderly and has, to that end, commenced consultations with Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders, on the enactment of a law to cater for the welfare of older persons.

The country has been facing a number of challenges namely:
- Economic challenges, and
- Political challenges

The economic challenges characterized by high inflation rate and limited foreign currency reserves have had an adverse effect on the delivery of social services. We have not been spared from the brain drain being experienced by other African countries. To address these problems, Government is working with United Nations Development Partners and some Civil Society Organisations to retain qualified personnel in the public sector.

On health delivery, Zimbabwe has registered positive developments in the fight against the HIV and AIDS Pandemic. We are pleased to inform the Commission that the infection rate has further dropped to 15% from 18% as reported last session.

Government has also adopted multi sectoral policies to address the economic challenges which it is hoped will yield positive results. Government has invested in mechanization of the agricultural sector and the provision of agricultural inputs to farmers. With good rains, it is hoped that the food security challenges will be curtailed.

To address political challenges being faced by the nation, SADC mandated the President of South Africa to mediate over talks between the two main political parties as the inclusion of other smaller entities, including NGOs would have prolonged the process of mediation. We urge all who purportedly speak for Zimbabwe to give that process a chance.

These talks are already yielding results as evidenced by the unanimous enactment, by Parliament, of Constitutional Amendment Number 18 which is now law. That amendment among other things set up the framework under which the harmonized Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government elections will be held next year. This has also necessitated the consequent amendment of the Electoral Laws. The draft bills drawn in consultations by the two main Political Parties are in place for presentation to Parliament. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has also been fully empowered to deal with all matters pertaining to entire election, starting with the delimitation of constituencies, to the counting of ballots.

Also as a result of the talks between the Political Parties, a number of laws will be amended, in particular, the Public Order and Security Act, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Broadcasting Services Act. The drafts are being worked on by the parties in close consultation with each other and members of the public will be availed with an opportunity to make their representations on the Bills through the relevant Parliamentary Portfolio Committees, once they are gazetted. The process of gazetting Bills before presentation to Parliament is a legal requirement in Zimbabwe. This is designed to raise the public's awareness of upcoming laws. The Government is working with United Nations development partners to enhance the capacity of Parliamentary Portfolio Committees to handle their mandate, including consultations with the general public on various issues affecting them.

Finally, as undertaken during the 41st Session held in Accra, Ghana, Constitutional Amendment 18 has made provision for the establishment of a national human rights institution. This institution will have the power to protect and promote human rights in Zimbabwe, as well as to investigate all alleged violations of human rights. This institution is being established in line with the recommendation of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, and the representations of the people of Zimbabwe.

May I take this opportunity to assure the Commission of my Delegation's commitment to working with the Commission. And to the Government of the Republic of Congo, I say thank you for hosting us.

Thank You.

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