Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has stepped up efforts to strengthen migration governance, combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and protect the rights of migrants through a series of legislative and policy reforms.
Speaking during an interactive dialogue with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, said Zimbabwe remained committed to safe, orderly and regular migration in line with international human rights standards.
Mrs Nyemba said the Government has undertaken significant reforms at policy, legal and institutional levels to address emerging migration challenges while safeguarding the rights of migrants.
“Zimbabwe has taken important steps at policy, legal and institutional levels to address migration concerns,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba said the Government has revived the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to improve border governance and strengthen coordination among agencies involved in migration management.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration was resuscitated to strengthen border governance, prevent irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling, and enhance joint operations between agencies,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba told delegates that Zimbabwe has also begun the process of ratifying the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants and was amending the Immigration Act to align domestic legislation with international obligations.
“We have commenced ratification of the Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants and amending the Immigration Act to domesticate its provisions. Criminalisation of migrant smuggling and facilitation of unauthorised entry is firmly embedded in the law,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba said Zimbabwe concurred with the Special Rapporteur’s observations that States must uphold their obligations under international human rights law when implementing migration cooperation arrangements.
“States should prioritise rights-based, fair and sustainable asylum and migration systems that fully respect human rights and related procedural safeguards,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba said the Government was making efforts to improve migration data management through the launch of a National Migration Data Strategy, which seeks to address information gaps and support evidence-based policymaking.
She said Zimbabwe had further adopted a National Labour Migration Policy aimed at promoting sustainable labour migration and maximising the developmental benefits associated with human mobility.
Mrs Nyemba reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to protecting migrants and strengthening international cooperation on migration issues.
“We remain committed to promoting and protecting the rights of migrants,” she said.
Zimbabwe continues to align its migration management framework with regional and international instruments as part of broader efforts to curb cross-border crimes, enhance border security and facilitate regular migration.
