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Elasto Mugwadi

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has great expectations on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Government as far as upholding human rights is concerned.

In a statement to mark the International Human Rights Day which is celebrated each year on December 10 globally, ZHRC chairperson Mr Elasto Mugwadi said the commission was pleased with the President’s commitment towards economic revival saying this is a critical enabler for promotion of human rights.

“The Commission applauds His Excellency’s commitment to reviving the economy. Enjoyment of many of the socio-economic rights such as the right to education, health, food, shelter and many others has a direct correlation with the state of the economy. An improved and functional economy therefore increases the chances of citizens enjoying these rights fully,” said Mr Mugwadi.

He implored Government to align the country’s laws with the new Constitution.

He said the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) were in violation freedom of association and freedom of expression.

Mr Mugwadi said the human rights commission has handled nearly 1 500 human rights violation complaints cases since its inception in 2014.

He said the cases include complaints on disputed land ownership and partisan distribution of Government resources. “The commission continues to register a significant increase in the number of cases of human rights violations it is handling, including those requiring the Commission to conduct investigations. To date, since operationalisation in June 2014, the Commission has received and dealt with about 1,489 complaints,” he said.

Mr Mugwadi said the ZHRC dealt with land disputes in areas such as Mazowe, Bikita among others before making recommendations to Government departments. “The recommendations to different stakeholders including to Government Ministries and support institutions seek to influence positive policy, law reform, behaviour change, promote administrative justice and foster a culture of human rights observance,” said Mr Mugwadi.

He said as part of its mandate the ZHRC has monitored the administration of 21 prisons out of 46 prisons countrywide.

Mr Mugwadi said the monitoring programme has also been extended to children’s homes and mental hospitals such as Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo. He said despite recording success in its programmes, the commission was being crippled by underfunding which has resulted in it failing to de-centralise its operations. — @nqotshili