Features for July
Forum Courts Legislators to Enact an Independent Complaints Mechanism
The Forumpresented a model Independent Complains Mechanism Law to the Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Servicesto bring to life an
independent complaints mechanism in terms of Section 210 of the Constitution.The proposed
model law envisages a complaints mechanism looking into the conduct of security services
which include the Defence Forces, Police Services, Intelligence Services as well as Prisons and
Correctional Services. The complaints mechanism will provide an avenue for redress to
individuals who claim to have been adversely affected by the exceptional powers of members
of the security services. Read the full report here
From our members
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)
call upon equal distribution of medical goods
ZADHR issued a press statement on the partisan distribution of medical goods and services on
17 July 2019. The statement called on the government to properly equip health institutions in
Zimbabwe and to get rid of structural barriers and partisan distribution of medical supplies for
political expediency. The statement also called upon key stakeholders including the Zimbabwe
Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate allegations of partisan distribution of medical
supplies. The full statement is available here
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Promotessocio-economic rights in communities
On 24 July, ZPP hosted a community dialogue at Chitsanga Hall in Chiredzi. The Dialogue was
attended by representatives of the Gender Commission, National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission, the general public, Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Chief and village Heads. Key
discussions focused on the rights of children and special emphasis was on child marriages.
ZPP launched a Videography for the June Monthly Monitoring Report on 11 July for a
summarised and interactive report on the current state of human rights. View the videography
here
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) continues defending the defenceless
ZLHR came to the aid of Job Sikhala who was charged with subverting a constitutionally elected
government. The total number of individuals facing this charge including Sikhala from January to
July 2019 is now 21. On 11 July, ZLHR secured the release of MDC Youth Assembly Secretary-General
Gift Sizibaon $1 000. Siziba was being charged with inciting public violence.On 12July, ZLHR also
represented Civil society leaders and human rights defenders including Beauty Rita Nyampinga,
Sthabile Dewa, George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, GamuchiraiMukura and Frank Nyasha
Mpahlo charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government.
On 25 July, ZLHR hosted Members of Parliament to advocate for the establishment of an
Independent Complaints Mechanism provided for in Section 210 of the Constitution. The
Independent Complaints Mechanism will receive and investigate complaints from the public about
misconduct by security services and remedying harm caused by such misconduct. The Forum also
presented their model Independent Complains Mechanism Draft Bill.