African Human Rights Commission commends Zimbabwe prison reforms

THE visiting African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) high level delegation has praised Zimbabwe’s open prison system, saying it demonstrates the country’s commitment to the observance and promotion of human rights.

The delegation, led by the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah Njie, paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday, where they discussed a range of governance and human rights issues.The delegation has been engaging with Government ministries, independent commissions and civil society organisations as part of its ongoing programme across African union member States.

Speaking shortly after meeting President Mnangagwa at Munhumutapa Building, Commissioner Sallah Njie said she was satisfied with the progress Zimbabwe has made in promoting and respecting human rights. She said Zimbabwe’s open prison model stood out as a best practice that other African countries could replicate.

“We emphasised the fact that you set a very innovative open prison model in Zimbabwe. It was a very innovative thing that we shared with the President to say that it’s a good model for our continent, like the Marondera Open Prison to decongest prisons,” said Commissioner Sallah Njie.

“We also had an opportunity to visit a normal prison because the essence of the Commission is to see what happens on the ground.

We highlighted Marondera as the best practice, but we were also keen to know what happens in other prisons, like issues of overcrowding, so that we can make appropriate recommendations to Zimbabwe because the purpose of this mission is to have constructive dialogue, have interaction with officials.”Commissioner Sallah Njie said the delegation will continue meeting all key stakeholders within Zimbabwe’s human rights ecosystem before compiling its final recommendations.

“We will come up with recommendations after we have met with all stakeholders, like the Government and civic society. The President was very constructive because when we raised the issue of human rights, he talked about a plethora of legislation that has been enacted by Zimbabwe to comply with human rights obligations,” she said.

She said concerns were also raised regarding proposed constitutional amendments, particularly the proposal to phase out the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, adding that President Mnangagwa had indicated he would reflect on the matter.

“We also raised concerns on the ongoing constitutional amendments, especially the proposal to phase out the Zimbabwe Gender Commission. He also welcomed the idea of sharing our preliminary findings.

We are going back satisfied with our dialogue and interaction. We are also happy that despite his busy schedule, he had time for us,” he said.

Commissioner Sallah Njie said engaging the highest office in the land was essential before engaging other policymakers, as demonstrated by their meeting with President Mnangagwa.

She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, and other senior Government officials.

Zimbabwe has in recent years received favourable assessments from regional and international institutions for steps taken to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights.