Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ATTENDANCE at Parliament’s public hearings on Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill of 2026 held across all provinces between March 30 and April 4 was high and inclusive, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has said.
In a statement, the commission said the consultations attracted a broad cross-section of society, including women, men, youths, older persons and persons with disabilities.
“The ZHRC noted that overall attendance at the observed consultations was high and included a broad cross-section of the population and vulnerable groups: women, men, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities,” reads the statement.
The commission said Parliament conducted the public hearings in all provinces, with the venues and dates publicised in advance through various media platforms to enable public participation.
“The Public Hearing venues, dates and meeting dates were publicised in advance and the Parliament of Zimbabwe used various media platforms to inform the public making it easy for potential participants to locate the places,” reads the statement.
ZHRC said the venues were mainly at major district centres and public places, with reasonable accommodation and accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Further, the commission noted that facilities were also put in place to receive written submissions, while members of the public were encouraged to make email submissions to Parliament as part of the consultation process.
“The public hearings have facilities to receive written submissions and participants were also reminded and encouraged to make email submissions to the Parliament of Zimbabwe.”
According to the commission, most of the submissions made at the monitored venues were in support of the Bill.
“Across the monitored venues, most submissions were in support of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3,” reads the statement.
ZHRC said the hearings were being conducted in line with the principles of transparency, accountability and participatory democracy.
“Public hearings on constitutional amendments are founded on the principles of transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy,” reads the statement.
The commission urged all stakeholders to continue upholding constitutional values during the consultation process.
“The State has the duty to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by all individuals, despite the views they hold,” reads the statement.
