Boost for visually impaired

Chief Reporter

The country has opened the door for visually impaired persons to access specially adapted books, and for audio-visual artistes to get sufficient protection of their intellectual property or works.

This comes after Zimbabwe has acceded to two critical international treaties last week.

In an interview with the communications team of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) — a specialised agency of the UN — representative to the Permanent Mission of Zimbabwe to the UN Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Taonga Mushayavanhu, confirmed that the country had acceded to both the Marrakesh Treaty and the Beijing Treaty. The Marrakesh Treaty, which came into force on September 30 2016, makes the production and international transfer of specially adapted books for people with blindness or visual impairments easier.

However, the Beijing Treaty regulates the copyright of audio-visual performances.

“Zimbabwe considers both treaties — the Beijing Treaty and Marrakesh Treaty — very important. One, for availing materials to our people who are visually handicapped.

“And we do have institutions that will benefit from our acceding to these treaties.

“And also audio visual, so that our artists can benefit from their work,” said Ambassador Mushayavanhu.

Government has been deliberately promoting policies that support vulnerable members of society. WIPO director-general Mr Francis Gurry said Zimbabwe’s accession was a sign of its commitment to assist its visually impaired citizens, as well as enhance its standing in international cooperation in the field of intellectual property.

“We are absolutely delighted that Zimbabwe has deposited its instruments of accession to the Marrakesh Treatym, to facilitate access to published works for visually impaired and blind persons. And to the Beijing Treaty, really, on audio-visual performances for actors — the protection of actors.

“This is another commitment on the part of Zimbabwe to international co-operation in the field on intellectual property,” said Mr Gurry.

Zimbabwe, he said, becomes the 14th African country and the 85th in the world to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty. It also becomes the 27th country to be part of the Beijing Treaty, which needs 30 accessions to come into force.

Mr Gurry said: “So, we are very hopeful that the 30th accession will be received before the end of this year, 2019.