Zimbabwe reaffirms commitment to humane migration

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

Zimbabwe has reiterated its dedication to ensuring the safe, orderly and humane treatment of migrants, both its citizens abroad and foreigners within its borders.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said this in a speech read on his behalf by the director of Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr Mike Masaka at the International Migration Day commemorations held in Harare yesterday.

Minister Kazembe highlighted the Government’s collaborative efforts with various international organisations and local stakeholders to support Zimbabweans in the diaspora and foreign nationals residing in the country.

He said partnerships are important in ensuring the protection and well-being of migrants.

“We cannot do this alone. The private sector, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and community agencies must work with Government to ensure that migrants are protected.”

The Minister also acknowledged the significant contributions of Zimbabwean migrants to the country’s development, citing the success of athletes like Sikandar Raza as an example of the positive impact of well-managed migration.

 

Ms Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said migrants have rights.

She said migrants are individuals with rights, adding that their contributions are invaluable to both their home countries and the places they migrate to.

“Migrant rights are human rights. Today is the day when we celebrate the contributions that migrants bring, not just for themselves, not just for the communities they come from, but the contributions they bring to the communities they go to.”

Ms Pope further highlighted the critical role of migration in addressing global challenges such as labour shortages and demographic imbalances.

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Ambassador Fredrick Shava also spoke at the event, emphasising Government’s recognition of the diaspora’s potential and its efforts to engage with Zimbabweans living abroad.