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Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
The European Union has applauded Zimbabwe for respecting and promoting human rights as evidenced by constitutional provisions guaranteeing citizens’ liberties. Speaking at the International Human Rights Day in Harare on Tuesday, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia, said the new Constitution created an environment for greater protection of human rights.
“This year has been an important year for promotion and protection of human rights in Zimbabwe,” he said. “With the new Constitution in March, Zimbabwe created a greater protection for human rights and there has been a steady decrease in the number of incidents reported.”
Ambassador Dell’Ariccia commended Zimbabwe for setting up a Human Rights Commission, which he said was an important institution for protection and promotion of people’s rights.
“Although it is not fully operational, it will be properly capacitated to comply with international standards,” he said. “We, the EU, stand ready to continue supporting the commission.”
Ambassador Dell’Ariccia said it was positive that Zimbabwe accepted the 130 recommendations subsequently adopted by the Human Rights Council in Geneva and developed a national action plan to implement the recommendations by 2016.
He urged the Government to achieve compliance with international and regional instruments and to proceed with the ratification of international treaties and their transposition into national legislation.
“We appreciate that you have already ratified a significant number of international treaties,” he said. “However, the Convention against torture and other cruel inhumane and degrading treatment of punishment is still to be ratified. This would be important.”
Ambassador Dell’Ariccia noted that Zimbabwe should now consider the abolishing of death penalty as a factor that contributes to human dignity.
Speaking at the same occasion, The Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mrs Gera Sneller said the new Constitution represented significant progress.
“The new Constitution makes provisions for establishment of a Gender Commission, which is tasked with promoting gender equality in all spheres of life,” she said.
“The violence against women baseline report highlights an increase in the levels of violence being experienced by women both in private and public arenas.”
United Nations resident coordinator Professor Luc Rukingama also described the new Constitution as a milestone development.
“The Constitution incorporates an expansive Bill of Rights that espouses the principles of mutual interdependence of social, economic and political rights,” he said.
“In addition, the establishment of the independent human rights commission under the new Constitution, is a major victory for the promotion and protection of human rights.”
Online Reporter