Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is steadfastly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.
In a presentation at the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights in the Gambia recently, Minister Ziyambi said Zimbabwe was “dedicated to upholding human rights as a core value in our development journey”.
He presented the country’s 16th Periodic Report under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Second Periodic Report on the Rights of Women in Africa (2019-2023).
Minister Ziyambi said Zimbabwe had made significant strides towards economic development since 2019, outlining various strategic initiatives aimed at tackling economic challenges and leveraging opportunities to improve citizens’ lives.
The Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), implemented between 2018 and 2020, was highlighted as a crucial step that resulted in macro-economic stability and stimulated economic growth.
Minister Ziyambi said the TSP laid the foundation for economic recovery in Zimbabwe.
Following this, the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), covering 2021 to 2025, aims to provide an inclusive development framework focused on the judicious use of resources to promote equitable and sustainable growth, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030 of achieving a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society.
Reflecting on Zimbabwe’s commitment to completing the land redistribution process, Minister Ziyambi announced the development of a Global Compensation Agreement between the Government and white former farm owners.
“This agreement is a testament to our commitment to justice and equity in land distribution,” he said.
He also revealed the launch of a land tenure system in December 2024, which is expected to benefit over 300 000 resettled farmers by granting them full title to their land.
The ratification of regional and international human rights instruments was another key point in Minister Ziyambi’s presentation, where he noted that Zimbabwe has ratified four significant treaties, including the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“These ratifications reflect our commitment to international human rights standards,” he said.
Minister Ziyambi added that Zimbabwe is progressing toward ratifying additional protocols, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In a landmark development, Minister Ziyambi announced that Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty effective December 31, 2024, through the Death Penalty Abolition Act.
“This is a historic moment for our nation, reaffirming our commitment to human dignity,” he said.
The legislation mandates that all 48 inmates previously sentenced to death undergo resentencing, with their sentences being commuted to other appropriate penalties. As of April 7 this year, 12 prisoners have already been resentenced under the new law.
Through these initiatives, Zimbabwe is demonstrating its commitment to advancing human rights while addressing economic challenges.
The Government’s efforts reflect a broader goal of aligning with international human rights standards and fostering a more equitable society.
