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This article participates on the following special index pages:
New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
Issues raised - Constitution bulletin day 17
Zimbabwe
Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
July 08, 2010
In the past three weeks
some of the topical issues discussed during the constitution public
meetings were of gender, natural resources beneficiaries, the role
of parliament and the presidential term of office.
Women have called
for the recognition of the new
constitution, a 50-50 balance with men at all levels of decision
making, particularly in key development posts. The MDC Women's
Assembly secretary, Hon Evelyn Masaiti urged women to turn out in
large numbers in the constitution making process. Women have suffered
the inferiority complex and now it is time for women to rise.
People also
suggested that locals become the immediate beneficiaries of any
natural resource. They should benefit either through the development
of their community or through first preference to job opportunities.
Chiadzwa
in Manicaland Province was given as an example, people citing that
the area surrounding the diamond mine should see infrastructure
development from the diamond proceeds, and should manpower be needed,
the residents should have preference.
In addition the parliament
should possess more authority than the political party in office
when choosing key government personnel such as the Attorney General
and the Reserve bank governor. As for the presidential term of office,
the general consensus is that a president should not be in office
for more than two terms of five years each.
Zimbabwe's HIV
and AIDS service organizations have also threatened to give a No
vote during the referendum if the new constitution does not cater
for rights to access HIV&AIDS treatment and access to health
services.
Issues further discussed
include the reinforcement of the dearth penalty, the majority rule
as 18; a review of marriage and inheritance laws; permission of
dual citizenship; removal of provincial names with tribal connotations
like Matebeleland and Mashonaland to names such as central province;
media freedom and devolution of power. Despite reports of violence,
ZimRights applauds Zimbabweans for coming out in their numbers and
having the courage to raise issues that must be addressed. This
will help in ensuring a people driven constitution that would be
a law for the current and future generations.
Visit the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Association (ZimRights) fact
sheet
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