Opinion / Columnist
Lack of Resources Hindering ZHRC from Implementing Its Core Projects - Muriel Jirira
22 Jul 2017 at 19:10hrs | Views
At the recently held Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Thematic Working Group Consultative Workshop held at the Holiday Inn Harare, Commissioner Kwanele Muriel Jirira bemoaned the human rights watchdog's over its meagre National Budget allocation, which she said needed immediate and dire review.
For many years ZHCR has been faced with financial and, or resource challenges, a situation which makes it very difficult for us to effectively champion our cause", said the Commissioner.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) since 1991. The ICESCR is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1996, and came in force from January 3rd 1976. It commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) to the Non-Self Governing and Trust Territories and individuals, including labour rights, and the right to health, the right to education and life. The African Charter on Human and People's Rights promotes access to economic, social and cultural rights as evidenced by Article 15, the right to work, Article 16, the right to health, Article 17, the right to education and Article 22, the right to economic, social and cultural rights. The Constitution of Zimbabwe has an expanded Bill of Rights which include the rights to language and culture Section 63, the right to freedom from arbitrary eviction, Section 74, the right to education, Section 75, the right to healthcare Section 76, the right to food and water, Section 77 among others.
"Our role as ZHRC is simply to push the implementing organ, the Ministry of Justice led by Hon. Patrick Chinamasa and we're an independent body as stipulated in the Constitution", added Comissioner Jirira.
ZHRC has come with several vibrant TWGs, which meet regular and with representation from strategic structures from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. These are critical to the organisation's consultative fora.
ZHRC is amongst the five independent Commissions that are constituted in terms of Section 232 of the Constitution of the Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013. Its establishment is in term of Section 242 and its functions are outlined in Section 243 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The mandate of the ZHRC is to promote, protect and enforce human rights, fundamental freedoms and administrative justice in Zimbabwe.
Commissioner Jirira has since called on the Private Sector, NGOs, CSOs, Development Agencies and Partners and the Government of Zimbabwe to intervene so that her organisation could effectively drive its national agenda in the letter and the spirit of instilling a deep sense of human dignity among the Zimbabwean populace.
For many years ZHCR has been faced with financial and, or resource challenges, a situation which makes it very difficult for us to effectively champion our cause", said the Commissioner.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) since 1991. The ICESCR is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1996, and came in force from January 3rd 1976. It commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) to the Non-Self Governing and Trust Territories and individuals, including labour rights, and the right to health, the right to education and life. The African Charter on Human and People's Rights promotes access to economic, social and cultural rights as evidenced by Article 15, the right to work, Article 16, the right to health, Article 17, the right to education and Article 22, the right to economic, social and cultural rights. The Constitution of Zimbabwe has an expanded Bill of Rights which include the rights to language and culture Section 63, the right to freedom from arbitrary eviction, Section 74, the right to education, Section 75, the right to healthcare Section 76, the right to food and water, Section 77 among others.
ZHRC has come with several vibrant TWGs, which meet regular and with representation from strategic structures from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. These are critical to the organisation's consultative fora.
ZHRC is amongst the five independent Commissions that are constituted in terms of Section 232 of the Constitution of the Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013. Its establishment is in term of Section 242 and its functions are outlined in Section 243 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The mandate of the ZHRC is to promote, protect and enforce human rights, fundamental freedoms and administrative justice in Zimbabwe.
Commissioner Jirira has since called on the Private Sector, NGOs, CSOs, Development Agencies and Partners and the Government of Zimbabwe to intervene so that her organisation could effectively drive its national agenda in the letter and the spirit of instilling a deep sense of human dignity among the Zimbabwean populace.
Source - Maxwell Teedzai
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