The Functions of Selected Human Rights Institutions and Related Role-Players in the Protection of Human Rights in Zimbabwe

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2016/v19i0a1150

Keywords:

human rights, judiciary, protection, enforcement, violations.

Abstract

Various human rights violations on the part of the ordinary people and human rights defenders have been reported in Zimbabwe since the late 1980s to date. It is widely acknowledged that such violations were mostly perpetrated by the government through its different organs for political and other related reasons.  Human rights violations were also easily committed against ordinary people and human rights defenders because there was no Constitution that adequately protected such people's fundamental human rights (including their civil and political rights and their socio-economic rights) in Zimbabwe.  Given this background, the article discusses the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe, in light of the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment 20 of 2013 (Zimbabwe Constitution 2013). This is done in order to investigate whether the promotion, protection, enforcement and the respect for human rights in Zimbabwe has now improved. To this end, the functions of selected national human rights institutions and other related role-players, namely, the civil society, the judiciary, the law enforcement organs and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission are briefly discussed first.  Secondly, the functions of selected regional and international institutions, namely, the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations are discussed in relation to the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe. Thereafter, concluding remarks and possible recommendations that could be utilised to combat human rights violations and enhance the protection of human rights in Zimbabwe are provided.

 

Google_Scholar_12046.png     ScienceOpen_Log034332.png

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Howard Chitimira, North-West University

LLB, LLM (UFH), LLD (NMMU). Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, North-West University. Email: Howard.Chitimira@nwu.ac.za.

References

Bibliography

Literature

Amnesty International 2013 Walk the Talk

Amnesty International Walk the Talk: Zimbabwe must Respect and Protect Fundamental Freedoms During the 2013 Harmonised Elections (Amnesty International London 2013)

Amnesty International 2013 Zimbabwe: Human Rights Agenda

Amnesty International Zimbabwe: Human Rights Agenda for the Government 2013-2018 (Amnesty International London 2013)

Asmal and James Spirit of the Nation

Asmal K and James W Spirit of the Nation: Reflections on South Africa's Educational Ethos (New Africa Books Claremont 2002)

Chiduza Significance of Judicial Independence

Chiduza L The Significance of Judicial Independence in Human Rights Protection: A Critical Analysis of the Constitutional Reforms in Zimbabwe (LLD-thesis UWC 2013)

Chiduza 2014 PELJ

Chiduza L "Towards the Protection of Human Rights: Do the New Zimbabwean Constitutional Provisions on Judicial Independence Suffice?" 2014 17(1) PELJ 368-418

Chiduza 2015 LDD

Chiduza L "The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission: Prospects and Challenges for the Protection of Human Rights" 2015 LDD 148-174

Cowell 2013 HR L Rev

Cowell F "The Death of the Southern African Development Community Tribunal's Human Rights Jurisdiction" 2013 13(1) HR L Rev 153-165

De Bourbon 2003 AHRLJ

De Bourbon A "Human Rights Litigation in Zimbabwe: Past, Present and Future" 2003 AHRLJ 195-221

Dissel and Frank Policing and Human Rights

Dissel A and Frank C (eds) Policing and Human Rights: Assessing Southern African Countries' Compliance with the SARPCCO Code of Conduct for Police Officials (African Minds Cape Town 2012)

Dzinesa Zimbabwe's Constitutional Reform Process

Dzinesa GA Zimbabwe's Constitutional Reform Process: Challenges and Prospects (Institute for Justice and Reconciliation Wynberg 2012)

Dziva, Dube and Manatsa 2013 IJHSSI

Dziva C, Dube B and Manatsa P "A Critique of the 2008 Government of National Unity and Human Rights Protection in Zimbabwe" 2013 IJHSSI 83-91

Gwenhamo, Fedderke and de Kadt 2012 Journal of Peace Research

Gwenhamo F, Fedderke JW and de Kadt R "Measuring Institutions: Indicators of Political Rights, Property Rights and Political Instability in Zimbabwe" 2012 Journal of Peace Research 593-601

International Crisis Group Zimbabwe: Waiting for the Future

International Crisis Group Zimbabwe: Waiting for the Future - Africa Briefing No 103 (International Crisis Group Brussels 2014)

Kersting Constitution in Transition

Kersting N (ed) Constitution in Transition: Academic Inputs for a New Constitution in Zimbabwe (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Harare 2009)

Madebwe 2014 Midlands State U L Rev

Madebwe T "Constitutionalism and the New Zimbabwean Constitution" 2014 Midlands State U L Rev 6-19

Madhuku 2006 SAPR/PL

Madhuku L "The Appointment Process of Judges in Zimbabwe and Its Implications for the Administration of Justice" 2006 SAPR/PL 345-369

Madhuku 2002 J Afr L

Madhuku L "Constitutional Protection of the Independence of the Judiciary: A Survey of the Position in Southern Africa" 2002 J Afr L 232-258

Makwerere, Chinzete and Musorowegomo 2012 IJHSS

Makwerere D, Chinzete GT and Musorowegomo C "Human Rights and Policing: A Case Study of Zimbabwe" 2012 IJHSS 129-138

Malan and Cilliers SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security

Malan M and Cilliers J SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security: Future Development (Institute for Security Studies Halfway House 1997)

Manyatera and Fombad 2014 CILSA

Manyatera G and Fombad CM "An Assessment of the Judicial Service Commission in Zimbabwe's New Constitution" 2014 CILSA 89-108

Mapuva and Muyengwa 2012 PELJ

Mapuva J and Muyengwa L "A Critique of the Key Legislative Framework Guiding Civil Liberties in Zimbabwe" 2012 15(4) PELJ 125-164

Maseng State, Civil Society and Underdevelopment

Maseng JO The State, Civil Society and Underdevelopment: The Case of Zimbabwe (Masters-dissertation NWU 2010)

Mhodi 2013 SAPR/PL

Mhodi PT "An Analysis of the Doctrine of Constitutionalism in the Zimbabwean Constitution of 2013" 2013 SAPR/PL 383-397

Moyo 2009 AHRLJ

Moyo A "Defending Human Rights and the Rule of Law by the SADC Tribunal: Campbell and Beyond" 2009 AHRLJ 590-614

Nathan 2011 Development Dialogue

Nathan L "Solidarity Triumphs over Democracy: The Dissolution of the SADC Tribunal" 2011 Development Dialogue 123-136

Ndlovu 2011 SADC Law Journal

Ndlovu P "Campbell v Republic of Zimbabwe: A Moment of Truth for SADC Tribunal" 2011 SADC Law Journal 63-78

OHCHR Human Rights Standards and Practice

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Human Rights Standards and Practice for the Police: Expanded Pocket Book an Human Rights for the Police (United Nations New York 2004)

OHCHR National Human Rights Institutions

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights National Human Rights Institutions: History, Principles, Roles, and Responsibilities (United Nations New York 2010)

Pohjolainen Evolution of National Human Rights Institutions

Pohjolainen AE The Evolution of National Human Rights Institutions: The Role of the United Nations (Danish Institute for Human Rights Copenhagen 2006)

Reif 2000 Harv Hum Rts J

Reif LC "Building Democratic Institutions: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in Good Governance and Human Rights Protection" 2000 Harv Hum Rts J 1-69

Robertson Judicial Independence

Robertson GQC Judicial Independence: Some Recent Problems (International Bar Association London 2014)

Rowe Introduction to Policing

Rowe M Introduction to Policing (Sage London 2014)

Slinn "Latimer House Guidelines for the Commonwealth"

Slinn P "Latimer House Guidelines for the Commonwealth" in Hatchard J and Slinn P (eds) Parliamentary Supremacy and Judicial Independence: A Commonwealth Approach: Proceedings of the Latimer House Joint Colloquium June 1998 (Cavendish London 1999) 17-29

UN Centre for Human Rights National Human Rights Institutions

United Nations Centre for Human Rights National Human Rights Institutions: A Handbook on the Establishment and Strengthening of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (United Nations New York 1995)

Viljoen International Human Rights Law

Viljoen F International Human Rights Law in Africa 2nd ed (Oxford University Press Oxford 2012)

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Zimbabwe Human Rights

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Zimbabwe Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy – Annual Report (Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Harare 2013)

Case law

Campbell v Republic of Zimbabwe (SADC (T) 03/2009) [2009] SADCT 1 (5 June 2009)

Fidelis Charamba v The Minister of Home Affairs (High Court) (unreported) case number 6420/08

Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe v Fick 2013 5 SA 325 (CC)

Jestina Mukoko v The Commissioner General of Police (High Court) (unreported) case number 7166/08

Jestina Mukoko v The Commissioner-General of Police (SC) (unreported) case number 293/08

Kenneth Simon Marimba v the Commissioner General of Police (High Court) (unreported) case number 6903/08

Mark Chavunduka and Raymond Choto v Ministry of Defence (2000) ZLR (SC)

Mike Campbell (Pty) Limited v The Republic of Zimbabwe (2/07) [2007] SADCT 1 (13 December 2007)

Mike Campbell (Pty) Ltd v Minister of National Security Responsible for Land Reform and Resettlement (124/06) [2008] ZWSC 1

Mike Campbell (Pty) Limited v The Republic of Zimbabwe (2/2007) [2008] SADCT (28 November 2008)

Mukoko v Attorney-General [2012] ZWSC 11

National Commissioner of the South African Police Service v Southern Africa Human Rights Litigation Centre 2013 ZASCA 168 (27 November 2013)

Roy Leslie Bennett v The Constituency Election Officer, Chimanimani Constituency EP1/05

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum v Zimbabwe ACHPR Communication No 245/02

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights v The Government of Zimbabwe Muzerengwa Buhera ACHPR Communication No 306/05

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa v The Government of Zimbabwe Forced Evictions Hopley – Porta Farm and Hatcliffe Communities ACHPR Communication No 314/05

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (obo Andrew Barclay Meldrum v Zimbabwe) ACHPR Communication No 294/04

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, SADC Lawyers Association, Law Association of Zambia, Tanzania Law Society v the Government of Zimbabwe ACHPR/LPROT/COMM/ZIM/321

Legislation

South Africa

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

International Criminal Court Act 27 of 2002

Zimbabwe

Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act [Chapter 10:27] 1 of 2002 (AIPPA)

Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act 20 of 2007

Broadcasting Services Act 3 of 2001

Broadcasting Services Amendment Act 19 of 2007

Criminal Law (Law Reform and Codification) Act [Chapter 9:23] 23 of 2004

Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07]

Lancaster House Constitution of Zimbabwe Order 1979 (SI 1979/1600) as amended by Amendment Act 1 of 2009

Police Act [Chapter 11:10] 2 of 1995

Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05] 22 of 2001 (PVOA)

Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOA) General Notice 99 of 2007 – Code of Procedure for the Registration and Operations of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe

Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05]

Public Order and Security Act 5 of 2002 (POSA)

Public Order and Security Amendment Act 18 of 2007

Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment Act 20 of 2013

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Act [Chapter 10:30] 2 of 2012

Regional and international instruments

African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981)

Gaborone Communiqué of the Southern African Development Community Secretariat (1996)

Guiding Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (1993) (Paris Principles)

International Bar Association Minimum Standards of Judicial Independence (1982)

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965)

Latimer House Guidelines on the Independence of the Judiciary (1998)

Montreal Universal Declaration on the Independence of Justice (1983)

Resolution on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders GA Res UN Doc A/HRC/22/L.13 (2013)

SADC Protocol of the Tribunal and Rules of Procedure (2000)

SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation (2001)

SADC Treaty (1992) (Windhoek Declaration)

SARPCCO Code of Conduct (2001)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary (1985)

United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (1979)

United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)

United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1999)

Universal Principles of Judicial Independence for the SADC (2004)

Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (1993)

Internet sources

ACHPR date unknown http://www.achpr.org/network/nhri/

African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights date unknown National Human Rights Institutions http://www.achpr.org/network/nhri/ accessed 22 August 2015

Amnesty International 2006 http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/

asset/AFR46/005/2006/en/dom-AFR460052006en.html

Amnesty International 2006 Zimbabwe: No Justice for the Victims of Forced Evictions http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/

AFR46/005/2006/en/dom-AFR460052006en.html accessed 29 July 2015

Anon 2001 http://allafrica.com/stories/200108100274.html

Anonymous 2001 Zimbabwe: Chidyausiku to Take Over as Chief Justice http://allafrica.com/stories/200108100274.html accessed 6 November 2015

Anon 2005 http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/mar18_

html#link10

Anonymous 2005 Mugabe's Anger at Court 'Madness' http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/mar18_2005.html#link10 accessed 11 March 2016

Anon 2006 http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/urbdev/060601reuters.

asp?sector=URBDEV&year=0&range_start=1

Anonymous 2006 Zimbabwe as Bad as It Can Get http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/urbdev/060601reuters.asp?sector=URBDEV&year=0&range_start=1 accessed 29 July 2015

Anon 2011 http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/apr12_2011.html

Anonymous 2011 13 Congregants Still in Police Custody as Police Violate Mukoyi's Right to Health http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/

apr12_2011.html accessed 1 October 2015

Anon 2013 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-12173-MDC-T+to+boycott+parliament+opening/news.aspx

Anonymous 2013 MDC-T MPs to Boycott Parliament Opening http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-12173-MDC-T+to+boycott+parliament+opening/news.aspx accessed 5 November 2015

Anon 2013 http://m.news24.com/news24/Africa/Zimbabwe/Zim-appoints-new-rights-election-chiefs-20130218

Anonymous 2013 Zimbabwe Appoints New Rights, Elections Chiefs http://m.news24.com/news24/Africa/Zimbabwe/Zim-appoints-new-rights-election-chiefs-20130218 accessed 14 March 2016

Anon 2014 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-13854-chidyausiku+

attacks+govt+over+salaries/news.aspx

Anonymous 2014 Chidyausiku Attacks Government over Salaries http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-13854-chidyausiku+attacks+govt+over+salaries/news.aspx accessed 17 February 2016

Anon 2015 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-20865-Mugabe+bullies

+judges+on+Mutasa,+MDC-T/news.aspx

Anonymous 2015 Mugabe Bullies Judges on Mutasa, Says Opposition MDC-T http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-20865-Mugabe+bullies

+judges+on+Mutasa,+MDC-T/news.aspx accessed 8 March 2016

Anon 2015 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-21072-Moyo+

defends+Mugabe+over+judges+threat/news.aspx

Anonymous 2015 Moyo Defends Mugabe over Judges Threat http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-21072-Moyo+defends+Mugabe+over+judges+threat/news.aspx accessed 8 March 2016

Atwood 2011 http://www.kubatanablogs.net/kubatana/police-violently-suppress-prayer-for-peace/

Atwood A 2011 Police Violently Suppress Prayer for Peace http://www.kubatanablogs.net/kubatana/police-violently-suppress-prayer-for-peace/ accessed 25 October 2015

Chamboko 2012 http://nehandaradio.com/2012/02/19/zanu-pf-ban-of-ngos-in-zimbabwe-self-defeating/

Chamboko M 2012 ZANU-PF Ban of NGO's in Zimbabwe Self-defeating http://nehandaradio.com/2012/02/19/zanu-pf-ban-of-ngos-in-zimbabwe-self-defeating/ accessed 6 November 2015

Cross 2015 http://nehandaradio.com/2015/08/16/160-days-the-disappearance-of-itai-dzamara/

Cross E 2015 160 Days: The Disappearance of Itai Dzamara http://nehandaradio.com/2015/08/16/160-days-the-disappearance-of-itai-dzamara/ accessed 17 November 2015

International Bar Association 2007 http://www.ibanet.org/

Document/Default.aspx?DocumentUid=e4d35d9f

International Bar Association 2007 Partisan Policing: An Obstacle to Human Rights and Democracy in Zimbabwe http://www.ibanet.org/Document/Default.aspx?DocumentUid=e4d35d9f accessed 2 October 2015

Machipisa 2001 http://www.ipsnews.net/2001/03/politics-zimbabwe-a-top-judge-appointed-new-chief-justice/

Machipisa L 2001 Politics-Zimbabwe: A Top Judge Appointed New Chief Justice http://www.ipsnews.net/2001/03/politics-zimbabwe-a-top-judge-appointed-new-chief-justice/ accessed 26 November 2015

Mavedzenge and Coltart 2014 https://constitutionally

thinking.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/a-constitutional-law-guide-towards-understanding-zimbabwes-fundamental-socio-economic-and-cultural-human-rights.pdf

Mavedzenge JA and Coltart DJ 2014 Understanding Zimbabwe's Fundamental Socio-Economic and Cultural Human Rights https://constitutionallythinking.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/a-constitutional-law-guide-towards-understanding-zimbabwes-fundamental-socio-economic-and-cultural-human-rights.pdf accessed 26 August 2015

Maveneka 2015 https://erc.undp.org/evaluation/documents/

download/8775

Maveneka L 2015 Terminal Evaluation of the Support for the Strengthening of the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the Rule of Law through Enhanced Capacity of Institutions Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission https://erc.undp.org/evaluation/documents/

download/8775 accessed 17 October 2015

Mushava 2013 http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/20/mugabe-tsvangirai-misfire/

Mushava E 2013 Mugabe, Tsvangirai Misfire http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/20/mugabe-tsvangirai-misfire/ accessed 13 March 2016

Ncube 2016 https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/09/27/high-court-frees-pro-democracy-activist-masarira/

Ncube X 2016 High Court Frees Pro-democracy Activist https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/09/27/high-court-frees-pro-democracy-activist-masarira/ accessed 8 November 2016

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa date unknown http://www.osisa.org/openspace/zimbabwe/sadcs-role-zimbabwe

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa date unknown SADC's Role in Zimbabwe http://www.osisa.org/openspace/zimbabwe/sadcs-role-zimbabweaccessed 21 March 2016

Redress Trust 2005 http://www.redress.org/downloads/

publications/Amani2005.pdf

Redress Trust 2005 Torture in Zimbabwe, Past and Present Prevention, Punishment, Reparation? A Survey of Law and Practice

http://www.redress.org/downloads/publications/Amani2005.pdf accessed 14 October 2015

SADC 2012 http://www.sadc.int/about-sadc/sadc-institutions/tribun/

Southern African Development Community 2012 SADC Tribunal http://www.sadc.int/about-sadc/sadc-institutions/tribun/ accessed 21 March 2016

SARPCCO 2001 http://www.apt.ch/content/files_res/SARPCCO

Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation 2001 Harare Resolution on the SARPCCO Code of Conduct for Police Officials http://www.apt.ch/content/files_res/SARPCCO accessed 22 October 2015

UNDP 2014

http://www.zw.undp.org/content/zimbabwe/en/home/

operations/projects/democratic_governance/capacity-building-support-to-the-zimbabwe-human-rights-commissio.html

United Nations Development Programme 2014 Capacity Building Support to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission http://www.zw.undp.org/content/zimbabwe/en/home/operations/projects/democratic_governance/capacity-building-support-to-the-zimbabwe-human-rights-commissio.html accessed 10 September 2015

ZHRC date unknown http://www.zhrc.org.zw/index.php/2014-07-02-07-41-38/speeches/59-media-engagement-workshop-overview-of-the-mandate-and-work-of-the-zimbabwe-human-rights-commission-zhrc

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission date unknown Media Engagement Workshop - Overview of the Mandate and Work of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission

http://www.zhrc.org.zw/index.php/2014-07-02-07-41-38/speeches/59-media-engagement-workshop-overview-of-the-mandate-and-work-of-the-zimbabwe-human-rights-commission-zhrc accessed 11 March 2016

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2005 http://hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/SR23-Zimbabwe-Facts-and-Fictions-An-Audit-of-the-Recommendations-of-the-Fact-Finding-Mission-of-the-ACHPR1.pdf

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2005 Zimbabwe Facts and Fictions: An Audit of the Recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights http://hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/SR23-Zimbabwe-Facts-and-Fictions-An-Audit-of-the-Recommendations-of-the-Fact-Finding-Mission-of-the-ACHPR1.pdf accessed 4 November 2015

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2011 http://hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2011.pdf

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2011 The Role of Human Rights Commission http://hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2011.pdf accessed 4 November 2015

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2013 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Who-will-defend-the-human-rights-defenders.pdf

Zimbabwe Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation Forum 2013 Who Will Defend the Human Rights Defenders? A Report on the Harassment of Human Rights Activists in Zimbabwe 2012 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Who-will-defend-the-human-rights-defenders.pdf accessed 25 October 2015

Published

17-05-2017

How to Cite

Chitimira, H., & Mokone, P. (2017). The Functions of Selected Human Rights Institutions and Related Role-Players in the Protection of Human Rights in Zimbabwe. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 19, 1–40. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2016/v19i0a1150

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.