ZHRC seeks funding for its operations

The dysfunctional Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has approached parliament in a bid to get funding for its operations, a few months before the end of its tenure.

The commission was set up in 2009 under the current inclusive government, to investigate human rights abuses following the bloody 2008 elections.

But four years later and a few months from the expiry of its life on June 29th, the body exists only on paper, with its operations hindered by a lack of financial support from government.

Last Thursday, the commissioners appeared before a senate thematic committee on human rights where they pleaded for resources from the government, according to a Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights report.

Commission chairperson Jacob Mudenda told the parliamentary committee that the human rights body was handicapped by a lack of proper offices, vehicles and staff.

Mudenda also asked parliament to amend the law governing the Commission's work, saying that sections of the ZHRC Act infringed on the independence and impartiality of the body.

The commissioners apparently told shocked senators that so far funding for their work has come from the Danish Institute for Human Rights (Danida), while the Norwegians are expected to provide the money for the vehicles.

The commissioners also indicated that they would like to be remunerated in the same way ministers and judges are rewarded.

The extent of the commission's empty coffers was revealed when Mudenda told senators that the human rights body had to borrow $500 to open a bank account.

Despite the challenges, the Commissioners reportedly pledged not to resign in protest over clauses that compromise their independence and impartiality but resolved to press for the amendment of the offensive sections.

In December 2012, former Commissioner Professor Reginald Austin resigned as head of the statutory body, citing 'inhibiting laws' and a lack of resources.

Austin said at the time: "The critical reason for my resignation is the legal framework … within which the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is expected now and in the future, to carry out its mandate. As a national human rights institution the commission must be independent and properly capacitated."

Although Austin's resignation had been expected to be a wake-up call for the government to address the issues he raised, nothing was done, with questions being asked about the state's commitment to upholding human rights.

South Africa-based human rights lawyer Daniel Molokela, said he is not surprised that ZHRC is suffering from a lack of funding and support from the government.

"The situation at the commission is reflective of the human rights context in Zimbabwe, where the post-independence government has always struggled when it comes to dealing with the human rights violations.

"The Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina and the election violence of 2008 all remain unresolved issues and for as long as the government set up remains polarised and compromised, we won't see much support being given to the commission.

"Perhaps if there is a change of government in the next election we may begin to see an effective human rights commission.

"Currently, even if the Commission is fully funded, they will not have any impact because the very nature of government funded human rights institutions, including the police force, are rooted in the political dynamic," Molokela said.

He called for the institutional overhaul of the ZHRC, saying it would be more effective if it was embedded in parliament rather than the political system.