Zimbabwe’s human rights record will be in the spotlight as the continental human rights body, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meets for its 73rd ordinary session in Banjul, Gambia.
One of the current issues likely to feature in the complaints to be brought against Zimbabwe is the increased incidence of political violence, the latest incident being attacks on members of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC ) in Insiza and Matobo. , province of Matabeleland South.
The continued incarceration of CCC lawmakers Job Sikhala and Godfrey along with at least 15 Nyatsime residents should be reported to the continental body.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Zimbabwe are among the African NGOs participating in the NGO Forum at the 73rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission. On October 18, 2022, the Forum, for participating NGOs, adopted resolutions and recommendations to be forwarded to the African Commission. Among the resolutions passed is one of the reductions in civic space in Zimbabwe where NGOs that are not currently registered as Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) will be made illegal if the PVO Amendment Bill currently before Parliament becomes law. An international organization, Paradigm Initiative, participating in the forum, listed Zimbabwe among the countries that violated the right to freedom of expression by shutting down the internet. Authorities shut down the internet in January 2019 following protests over rising fuel prices.
The strong contingent of Zimbabwean CSOs, including Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Amnesty International Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forums, have also expressed concern over the ban on gatherings, including gatherings of opposition campaign, the candlelight vigil of the late Alex Magaisa as well as prayer meetings by Zimbabwe Devine Destine as part of the Zimbabwe We Want and Crisis in Zimbabwev Coalition campaign.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum will make a statement to the African Commission on the human rights situation in the country where it is expected to highlight key human rights concerns including militarization bail as a political tool, partisan policing by the police and increasing political violence as the country prepares for harmonized elections in 2023. Zimbabwe’s porous medical facilities and the treatment of doctors and nurses at risk of conscription into the Zimbabwe Defense Force will likely be raised by the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, which has observer status with the African Commission.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is currently commemorating its 35th anniversary, was established by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa.
The commission was inaugurated on November 2, 1987. – ZHR NGO Forum
Are women afraid of failure or criticism?
DESPITE being a high school student, I can’t help but feel for women in the country in general. Some women are bound by cultural norms, values and beliefs that their place at home is in the kitchen. Yes, it’s true that a wife is supposed to be submissive to her husband in every way, but now things have changed.
We are now in the 21st century and unlike the days when women were treated as inferior, women now have the right to voice their opinions. But it is a pity that even though the government now supports gender equality and now considers women as equals in society, some women are still bound by cultural norms and values.
One of the main obstacles to women’s access to positions of power and influence is rooted in the patriarchal system that is difficult to break. Women do not take risks and prefer not to question situations that they could easily control. Too many of us don’t recognize and realize our true worth and potential and as a result some women choose not to fight and walk away because they don’t have the stamina – mentally and financially. .
Because we live in a world where we need to push above our weight, encourage each other to pursue opportunity, and not allow other women to feel inadequate and intimidated. Our presence has a huge impact in our societies. We are powerful as seen in the liberation struggle when women in their masses united to rebel against an oppressive system.
If our grandmothers could muster the courage and strength to fight against an oppressive regime, then what is stopping women from fighting for their space, especially if the government is on their side?
Being a feminist made me see that on the whole, women’s powerlessness isn’t always men’s fault, but socialization also plays a big part in nurturing and mindset of a being human, therefore, I urge women not to limit themselves. – Mutsawashe H Chembwa Seke1 High School
Africa yearns for Kagame’s type of leadership
ORDINARY Africans have long been seen as people in need of donations. This was mainly due to passive economic participation.
However, Africans are now active in the economy; they are now entrepreneurs instead of charity cases. This therefore rightly confirms and explains what Rwandan President Paul Kagame meant when he said: “In Africa today, we recognize that trade and investment, not aid, are major pillars of development.
The way forward is to believe in our ability and our strategies for economic growth. Before laying the foundations, the first key to unlock is to believe in it.
It is true that Africa will face economic difficulties here and there, but like all other economies in the world, it will recover and continue to grow. – Farai Mwando
Spare retirees from economic hardship
WHO should bail out the retiree? We worked 8 hours a day and sometimes we went late at night. We traveled long distances over rough roads, risking landmines in the heat.
We were the civil service midwives before and after independence. We carried the weight of the wrath of the departing white man. We took over their jobs and they didn’t like it.
Today items like electricity consume more than 50% of the pension, not to mention other necessities.
Yes, the revenue figure looks good and yet the expenses are even higher.
Please save us. At our age, medical costs are astronomical, but Premier Service Medical Aid Society clinics do not provide the medications we need. We are forced to rely on already overwhelmed children to buy from private pharmacies.
Please help us. -Albert Mnkandla
Check the party’s history before you vote
PEOPLE should not vote for a perpetuation of the status quo. They have to be careful not to waste their vote on a party that talks about great things it will do in the future after being in power for over 40 years.
Ask yourself what they have accomplished in those years? Wouldn’t it be easier for them, as incumbents, to say we’ve achieved this and that in 40 years? – Registered voter
In response to Chamisa being allowed to visit imprisoned deputies, MIRIRAI NDORO said: Granted by whom? This abuse of power in state institutions can end if we massively eliminate Zanu PF.
In response to “The bloody polls of 2023 are calling,” REX CHISALE says: The right to freedom that everyone can enjoy has been taken away. Zanu PF wants only those who believe in their brainwashed system and die-hard supporters to benefit from it.
In response to the eyes of the Chinese billionaire on the Ziscosteel partnership, KETIWA KETIWA says: What have we said from the beginning about China, with regard to Africa? China is there to get what it wants and what happens to Africa later is none of their business. Wake up African leaders.
In response to Zupco’s monopoly banned by the High Court, LUC NDLOVU says: It is clear to a layman that forcing operators to join a state-controlled transport company was unfair and not conducive to competition. But the new dispensation of the so-called lawyers employed to guide them decided not to provide for this.
BYBEAT MASHY says: The judge was instructed to make such a decision. Clearly the government has realized that Zupco is no longer viable. There is nothing to applaud.
MWARIANESU NIGEL MADZIVA says: Finally! The Zupco franchise was a failure from the start, the operators got peanuts from this deal, while the government got a big chunk. Bring back suburban omnibuses to create jobs for young people.
In response to the Mayor of Harare banning managed overseas travel, ALLAN MUNYIKA says: It makes no sense to pay for people to go on essentially expensive holidays. These trips are meant to benefit the country through the exchange of knowledge.
EMMANUEL MANYERE says: Dodgy laws are being created to clamp down on the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party led by Nelson Chamisa so that everything is entrenched and locals blame it for not delivering on its promises.
EDDY MAKARI says: At one time all Harare councilors went on retreat to Kariba to discuss town affairs at taxpayers expense but nothing tangible came of it. I don’t see the difference with the corrupt Zanu PF cabals.
