By Bothwell Chabarika
BANJUL — Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairperson Anele Ndebele has urged the Government to strengthen the implementation of human rights commitments, improve support for human rights institutions and address persistent challenges affecting communities across the country.
Presenting Zimbabwe’s human rights situation at the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), Ndebele called for cooperation between Government, human rights institutions and communities, stressing that institutional independence should go hand in hand with constructive engagement.
Speaking for the first time at the session, he said independence should not prevent institutions from working with other stakeholders to address human rights concerns.
“At Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission we are clear that: independence is not isolation – it is undoubtedly the discipline to decide freely and the duty to engage openly. So our task is not to choose between independence and engagement, our task is to hold both together,” he said.
Ndebele welcomed Zimbabwe’s signing in August of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, the retention of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission as a separate constitutional institution and legislative measures concerning emergency medical treatment and the protection of pension and insurance interests.
However, he emphasised that the benefits of these measures would depend on effective implementation, adequate funding and public awareness.
“These measures matter most when the people they are intended to serve can experience their benefits in daily life. Implementation, adequate funding and public awareness must therefore remain priorities,” Ndebele said.
He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by Government during the African Commission’s promotion mission to Zimbabwe from 30 March to 2 April this year, describing the engagement as an important foundation for continued dialogue.
Despite the progress made, Ndebele highlighted several human rights concerns requiring further attention, particularly in mining communities where residents continue to raise concerns about labour conditions, displacement, water contamination, dust and damage to homes and livelihoods.
He called for stronger oversight of mining activities, meaningful consultation with affected communities and fair remedies for those whose rights and livelihoods had been affected.
On healthcare, Ndebele acknowledged investments in facilities, equipment and medicines but said more attention was needed to retain health workers and ensure essential services reached underserved communities.
He also raised concerns about overcrowding in detention facilities and the need to protect children from labour and child marriage.
Addressing recent national developments, Ndebele said the Commission joined Zimbabweans in mourning victims of the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy, while calling for investigations to inform stronger transport safety measures.
He further recognised Government efforts to receive Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, urging continued assistance to support their reintegration and livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable returnees.
On institutional reforms, Ndebele said constitutional changes assigning peace and reconciliation responsibilities to the ZHRC had placed additional demands on the institution.
He said the expanded mandate would require adequate resources, capacity and practical support to ensure effective implementation.
In his closing remarks, Ndebele urged the Government to strengthen support for human rights institutions and continue engaging with the African Commission, including through consideration of outstanding human rights treaties.
“We offer the ZHRC’s cooperation in identifying obstacles, hearing affected communities and helping to develop workable solutions,” he said.
“We believe that recognising progress and addressing shortcomings are not competing purposes. Both are necessary if the rights guaranteed to the people of Zimbabwe are to be realised in practice.”