Sundaymail Editor
Emmanuel Kafe
THE African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has commended President Mnangagwa for safeguarding the health and welfare of prisoners after he granted pardons to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Over 5 800 prisoners have been released from prison after benefiting from three separate pardons decreed by the President since last year.
In a statement, the commission, which is mandated with promoting and defending human rights on the continent, said clemency was a central pillar of successful response to Covid-19.
“The Commissioner Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Zimbabwe, Commissioner Jamesina Essie King, together with the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, have conveyed a joint letter of appreciation to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, commending the recent Presidential Amnesties which have seen 5 878 prisoners being released from the country’s prisons since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic,” read part of the statement.
“The decision by Zimbabwe is firmly in line with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 449 (LXVI) 2020 on Human and Peoples’ Rights as a central pillar of successful response to Covid-19 and recovery from its socio-political impacts.
“This resolution was adopted at the African Commission’s 66th ordinary session of August 2020.”
The continental body believes prisoners run a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus and there was limited possibility of containing it in prisons and detention facilities. Member states were also urged to adopt appropriate emergency measures to reduce overcrowding.
“In a bid to decongest prisons and mitigate on the threats posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to the prison population, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, declared two amnesties in 2020 which witnessed a total of 3 923 inmates being freed. The total number consists of 3 726 males and 197 females. Accordingly, in March 2021 another amnesty was declared, where 1 955 prisoners were released.
“The total number consists of 1 911 males and 44 females.
“As of February 2021, prison population stood at 20 407, which consists of 15 533 convicted inmates and 4 874 who have not been convicted.”
In 2019, the commission, at its 65th ordinary session, applauded Zimbabwe for being up-to-date with its state party reporting obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
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