Zim makes strides in civil liberties Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

Zimbabwe has made great strides in ensuring enjoyment of civil and political rights by its citizens as the Government has embarked on legislative, administrative and judicial measures to achieve set targets envisaged by the requisite international conventions.

The measures have also seen the number of women in decision making positions such as superior court judges and magistrates rising significantly over the years.

This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa while delivering the 40th Post-Cabinet briefing.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet adopted a combined periodic report under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights which was presented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.

She said the report outlined legislative, administrative and judicial measures adopted by Zimbabwe to implement the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights since submission of the initial report in 1998.

“The International Convention on Civil and Political Rights comprises 27 Articles, which provide for substantive rights and freedoms. Extensive consultations with various stakeholders including civil society organisations were undertaken in compiling the report covering the 27 Articles,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Highlights of some of the developments that have taken place since the initial report include Zimbabwe’s adoption of a new Constitution in 2013 providing for an expanded Bill of Rights ensuring that citizens enjoy their full rights without hindrance, elections when they fall allowing people to determine political dispensation of their choice since independence in 1980.

She said on equality and non-discrimination, the country established the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to safeguard citizens’ rights.

“On the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of civil and political rights, constitutional stipulations provide for the reservation of women quotas in Parliament and in Commissions, while balanced gender representation is also stipulated in Acts of Parliament.

“For example in 2018 there were 28 women and 30 men superior court judges, while in 2020 there were 31 women and 39 men. In 2018 there were 94 women and 156 men magistrates, while in 2020 there were 133 women and 96 men,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the country’s Constitution also provided for freedom of thought, conscience and religion where citizens were free to exercise a religion of their choice and such religious groups were allowed to operate without any form of registration.

“On the freedom of expression constitutional and legislative measures are in place to ensure protection of the right, such as the Broadcasting Services Act with a number of private newspapers, radio and television stations having been licensed,” she said.

On rights of children the Registrar General’s office has been decentralised to ensure the issuance of documents, while government has set up the Victim Friendly Court to protect vulnerable witness children and the Basic Education Assistance Module to help support disadvantaged pupils with school and examination fees.

“In summary the report shows that Zimbabwe has made great strides in ensuring the enjoyment of civil and political rights by citizens. As a nation the country remains fully committed to the Convention on Civil and Political Rights and ensuring that set targets under the relevant Articles are achieved,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

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