Commissions Watch 7/2017 ZHRC International Human Rights Day
12 Dec 2017
the ZHRC is one of the Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy in Zimbabwe
established in Chapter 12 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The general objectives of
Independent Commissions include to support and entrench human rights and democracy, to
protect the sovereignty and interests of the people, to promote constitutionalism, transparency
and accountability and ensure injustices are remedied.
Building from the general objectives of Independent Commissions, it is important to note that
the five Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy in Zimbabwe have peculiar functions
that set them apart and define their individual character. In the case of the ZHRC these include
but are not limited to the following: to promote awareness of and respect for human rights and
freedoms at all levels of society; to monitor, assess and ensure observance of human rights and
freedoms, to receive and consider complaints from the public and secure appropriate redress.
The theme “#StandUp4HumanRights” therefore, sums up the mandate and work of the
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
May I assure you our distinguished Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister, that the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission is committed and remains steadfast in executing its mandate and
therefore has continued to make considerable progress towards becoming a very effective
National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) as set out in the United Nations Paris Principles. The
United Nations Paris Principles are the international human rights best practices which guide
the establishment and operations of NHRIs. In fact, within a few years of operationalization, the
ZHRC has already attained “A” Status accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human
Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which the Commission achieved in May 2016. This means the
ZHRC is in full compliance with the Paris Principles. This gives the ZHRC not only a voice but also
voting rights at regional and international human rights fora. The Commission is also accredited
by the International Ombudsman Institute and is affiliated to the Network of African Human
Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights
(ACHPR).
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 operationalization in June 2014, the Commission has received and
dealt with about 1,489 complaints. The increase in cases being handled by the Commission is
attributable to many factors including publicity of the Commission’s work in the media, road
shows and outreaches in different parts of the country in line with the Commission’s mandate
to promote awareness and respect for human rights at all levels of society. Some of the cases of
human rights violations are referred from stakeholders some of whom have entered into
memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Commission. Furthermore, the ZHRC in trying to
enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with cases has successfully deployed an
electronic case management system which will assist in the Commission’s speedy handling of
cases.
It is worthy noting that in dealing with cases, the ZHRC has produced comprehensive reports on
some of the investigations it has conducted. This year 2017, investigations were carried out in
Mazoe, Bindura, Chegutu, Bikita and Rusape to address the issue of arbitrary and forced
evictions and in Hurungwe West, Nyanga and Bikita on partisan food relief distribution and
distribution of farming inputs. 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.