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Mukudzei Chingwere in Victoria Falls

Transparency, fairness and accountability in operations of all three arms of the State – Judiciary, Legislature and Executive – are of uppermost importance for Africa to achieve its economic potential and human rights objectives, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday.

Opening the seventh congress of the Conference of African Constitutional Courts (CJCA) in Victoria Falls yesterday, he said constitutional frameworks should be rooted in the inherent worth of every person.

The congress began on Wednesday and will end tomorrow.

Legal fraternities from across Africa are converging in Victoria Falls for the congress which is running under the theme: “Human dignity as a founding value and principle: A source of constitutional interpretation, protection and enforcement of fundamental human rights”.

The theme highlights the essential concept of human dignity, which underpins the entire framework of fundamental human rights in any democratic society.

VP Chiwenga said constitutional frameworks should be rooted in the inherent worth and autonomy of every individual, fostering a culture of respect, equality and justice.

“We recognise that the economic successes of our nations are instrumental in the full realisation of the enjoyment of human rights and in preserving the dignity of our citizenry,” said VP Chiwenga.

“The three arms of the State, that is the judiciary, legislature and executive across Africa, should act as we ought to do, in a transparent, fair and accountable manner. This should be underpinned by integrity to give full meaning to the implementation of human rights and dignity by our national constitutions,” said the Vice President.

The congress is being attended by non-African sister countries like Russia, Iraq, Turkey, Albania and Austria who are observers.

VP Chiwenga said meetings of this nature were crucial as they brought together members of the judiciary to discuss matters of common interest for the good of countries, the region and beyond.

“The judiciary plays a critical oversight role on other organs of State in ensuring that they comply with the constitutional provisions of a country. It is only an independent judiciary that can undertake and fulfil such a critical role,” said VP Chiwenga.

An independent and impartial judiciary was the cornerstone of the rule of law in any democratic country.

“It serves to protect human rights and people’s liberties, provides a check on other branches of government and helps secure an environment conducive to economic growth and social cohesion.

“In this regard, Zimbabwe established the Human Rights Commission enshrined in our Constitution to safeguard the same,” said VP Chiwenga.

He emphasised the importance of regional integration. Executive and legislative branches of State in the region had long formed platforms and forums fostering integration both economically and politically.

VP Chiwenga said parliamentarians from the region had formed the Pan-African Parliament and the SADC Parliamentary Forum among other groupings, while heads of governments meet at within SADC, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the African Union. 

With over 40 countries represented, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said the hosting of the seventh congress is evidence of the solidarity shared by constitutional jurisdictions in Africa.

“Our commitment to the ideals of constitutionalism, and the particular focus on human dignity in this congress, are consistent with the regional objectives of the African Union of promoting and protecting human rights throughout the continent,” said Chief Justice Malaba.

“We must, therefore, take the opportunity to use this platform to advance our commitment to the respect for human rights as an aspect of constitutional democracy.

“The congress offers an opportunity for judges in the constitutional world to enjoy each other’s company and relax, while accepting their solidarity towards the entrenchment of constitutionalism in Africa,” said Chief Justice Malaba.