Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE on Tuesday joined the rest of the continent in celebrating Africa Human Rights Day with renewed calls for reparations, restitution of heritage, and stronger protection of vulnerable groups and reflection on Africa’s progress and challenges in advancing human rights.
The celebrations were held at Africa Unity Square in Harare.
The event was held under the African union theme, “Justice for Africans and the People of African Descent through Reparations.”
Africa Human Rights Day (AHRD) is observed annually on October 21 to commemorate the adoption of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) in 1986 by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African union (AU).
Speaking during the celebration, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) chairperson, Ms Fungayi Majome, said the day was both a celebration and a call to action.
“By being here and celebrating Africa Human Rights Day, we are making history,” said Ms Majome.
“This day marks the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, a landmark instrument that enshrines Africa’s collective commitment to justice, human rights and equality.”
She said the African Charter was created to confront the continent’s most destructive legacies.
“The African human rights system was put in place to fight colonialism, slavery, neocolonialism and apartheid,” she said.
“It promotes the dignity, equality and freedom of Africans and all people who live on this continent.”
Ms Majome said many Africans remain unaware of the day, despite its significance.
“If you ask Africans across Africa if they have ever heard about Africa Human Rights Day, a lot of them do not know about it,” she said. “If we Africans do not celebrate our own day, no one will.”
Ms Majome emphasised that Africans ought to honour this day with the same, if not greater, significance than International Human Rights Day.
Ms Majome also highlighted the need for reparations and the retrieval of cultural heritage.
“In terms of dignity, equality and humanity, this is a human rights issue,” Ms Majome said.
“Why is it that in 2025, we have not accorded our ancestors the dignity of being returned home? Why is our last Zimbabwe Bird still not back where it belongs?”
Reflecting on Zimbabwe’s human rights landscape, she said progress had been made, but challenges remain.
“We have a constitution that is very progressive, that protects civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,” she said.
“But sometimes political interests make duty bearers forget that human rights must be enjoyed by all people, all of the time and in every way.”
Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children director Rev Taylor Nyanhete emphasised the importance of safeguarding children’s rights.
“Every person, regardless of age, gender or circumstance, is born with inherent dignity and equal rights,” he said.
“The first right we must ensure for every child is a birth certificate. Protecting children is not charity. It is justice. It is the future of Africa itself.
Ms Majome concluded by reminding participants that rights come with responsibilities. She said the enjoyment of rights and freedoms also implies the performance of duties.
“Let us carry out our duties with resolve to create a better Zimbabwe, a better Africa, and a better world,” she said.
