Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
THE visiting African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights high‑level delegation has commended Zimbabwe’s open-prison concept, saying it cemented the country’s commitment to observing human rights.
The delegation, led by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah‑Njie, visited President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday, where they discussed several issues.
It has been holding a series of meetings with Government ministries, independent commissions and civil society organisations as part of its programme across AU member states.
In an interview soon after meeting President Mnangagwa, Commissioner Sallah-Njie expressed satisfaction with the milestones Zimbabwe has made in observance of human rights.
She said the open prison model adopted by Zimbabwe was one of the best practices which other African countries should emulate.
“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 Comm 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.”
She said they will meet all the stakeholders in the human rights ecosystem before making 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.
Comm Sallah-Njie said they had also raised concern over the intended phasing out of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, with the President saying he will reflect on it.
“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.
Comm Sallah-Njie said it was critical to engage the highest office in the land before discussing with policymakers, as they did when they met President Mnangagwa.
She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affair, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba and other senior Government officials.
Zimbabwe has received positive reviews from progressive regional and international institutions regarding its commitment to upholding human rights
