Zimbabwe human rights report adopted in Geneva

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHC) has adopted Zimbabwe's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report in Geneva, Switzerland.

Zimbabwe's report highlights the country's human rights record and the measures taken by the government in protecting and promoting human rights.

During the review, Zimbabwe received 260 recommendations and supported 151 and deferred 100 for further consultation.

Speaking at the presentation and adoption of the report in Geneva, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affair, reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening its legal and policy framework as well as institutions responsible for monitoring the human rights situation.

He expressed gratitude to the interventions that have been made by representatives of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and civil society operating within Zimbabwe, saying the partnership between government and these institutions will continue over the years as they implement the supported recommendations in Geneva

Vice President Mnangagwa however lamented the adverse effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon in the implementation of socio-economic rights, leaving the population vulnerable to famine and related challenges.

In an interview with the ZBC News after his presentation at the adoption of Zimbabwe's UPR report, ZHRC Chairperson, Mr Elasto Mugwadi and 16 other countries, among them Botswana, Venezuela, Belarus, Ghana and Cuba commended the government of Zimbabwe for its commitment to the improvement of the human rights terrain in the country.