HUMAN rights organisations in Africa have placed Zimbabwe under spotlight at the ongoing 75th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The non-governmental organisations (NGOs), under the NGOs Forum, an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), expressed concern over human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
They met in Gambia from April 29 to May 1 ahead of the ACHPR session which started on Wednesday.
In Gambia, the NGOs Forum came up with several resolutions on various countries but said they were disheartened by the failure of the Zimbabwean government to comply with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“…disheartened by the government of Zimbabwe's failure to comply with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and inadequate implementation of normative standards and guidance…. which manifests in lack of protective and enabling legal frameworks for human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs). Increased legislative restrictions on the legitimate work of CSOs and HRDs, including hindering people’s opportunity to freely interact with CSOs and HRDs and curtailing access to resources for these groups. … Criminalisation of the freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests and extended period of pre-trial detention of CSO members and HRDs,” they said.
Efforts to get a comment from Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi were in vain as he was not picking calls.
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Justice ministry secretary Virginia Mabhiza was also not reachable for comment.
Local civic society groups have accused government of introducing harsh laws to clamp down on their voluntary work.
Several opposition members have been arrested since last year on what have been described as trumped-up charges.
Three opposition politicians Job Sikhala, Jacob Ngarivhume and Fadzai Mahere were recently convicted and sentenced for inciting violence.
The NGOs Forum appealed for the ACHPR’s intervention to ensure that President Emmerson Mnangagwa does not assent to the PVOs Amendment Bill, which has been widely criticised as an impediment to enjoyment of human rights.
“We recommend that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopt a Resolution urging the government of Zimbabwe to ensure compliance with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa,” the NGOs said. “Ensure compliance with its obligations to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the ACDEG - African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. Establish democratic institutions that consolidate democracy, human rights practice, the rule of law and free, fair and credible elections. Undertake comprehensive law reform, with substantive public participation, to remove laws that negatively impact freedoms of assembly, association and expression, including NGO laws, anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism related laws and emergency laws.”