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The United Nations Development Programme on Monday donated two vehicles, computers and printers to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission in a gesture expected to enhance the commission’s operations. UNDP deputy country director of programmes Mr Martin Maya officially handed over a Toyota Prado (SUV), a Toyota Hilux (double cab), 27 laptop computers and several other tools to the ZHRC at an event held at the commission’s head office in Belgravia.
“In keeping with our commitments as the UN on institutional capacity building, we are gratified that the equipment that we are donating today will improve the ZHRC’s capacity.
“Indeed, this also resonates with the spirit of Paris Principles that exhorts national human rights institutions to be adequately capacitated in all aspects at the human, material and financial resources levels,” Mr Maya said.
“UN therefore supports initiatives for the cultivation and sustenance of a democratic culture and the promotion and protection of human rights.”
ZHRC chairperson Mr Elasto Mugwadi thanked the UNDP for the donation.
Mr Mugwadi said the commission had faced several challenges since its inception in 2010.
“UNDP has been supporting the commission from its inception. Most of the work that the commission has carried out so far has been made possible through the support that was provided by the UNDP.
“UNDP has provided technical, advisory and financial support to the ZHRC,” he said.
“Advisory and technical support that was given to the commission through the project management team was instrumental in enabling the commission to prepare to operate fully.”
Last week, Mr Mugwadi said the commission was now fully operational.
He urged the public to register complaints of potential human rights violations with the commission. The commission had been operating without a secretariat since its inception due to the absence of an enabling legislation and lack of funding.
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