Commissions Watch 1/2017
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission:
Press Statement on Floods
31 Jan
COMMISSIONS WATCH 1/2017
ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
[31st January 2017]
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission: Press Statement on
Floods
This bulletin contains the text of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission’s
Press Statement on the promotion and protection of environmental and related
rights in the face of ongoing flooding in urban areas. In its statement, the
Commission notes that the recent rains and consequent foods have “exposed
the gaps in the management of our urban spaces” and puts forward various
recommendations to central government, local authorities and citizens. The
press statement is also available on the Zimbabwe Human Rights
Commission’s website
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL AND RELATED RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF
ONGOING FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has noted with concern
the increasing interface between the current rains and the enjoyment of
human rights by Zimbabweans. Whilst rains are a welcome relief following
last year’s devastating drought; they have also exposed the gaps in the
management of our urban spaces. The ZHRC is further concerned by the
flooding experienced in some parts of the country and in particular areas
such as Harare’s Glen View, Mbare and Budiriro suburbs which have given
rise to water borne diseases and threatened the enjoyment of the right to
health by the residents of those suburbs. These floods have also damaged
and destroyed people’s hard earned assets.
Whilst recognizing that the country has made strides in including
environmental rights in the Constitution which were hitherto unpronounced
in the previous Constitution, there is need for adherence to these provisions
for the enjoyment of these rights by Zimbabweans. Section 73 of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for the rights of citizens to an