Zim urged to implement UN protocol on human rights

THE Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLRH) has urged the government to implement United Nations (UN) recommendations aimed at improving the country’s human rights record.

Zimbabwe’s human rights record came under the spotlight during a UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review meeting recently. UN member States made extensive recommendations to improve the country’s human rights situation.

“During the interactive UN Human Rights Council-led Universal Periodic Review interactive dialogue session, the UN provided recommendations for the improvement of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and the alignment of the nation’s domestic laws with its international obligations,” the ZLHR said.

“Some of the recommendations include the establishment of an independent complaints mechanism to investigate and address human rights violations by members of the security services, the adoption of legislation that is designed to protect human rights defenders and the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.”

Zimbabwe was urged to stop the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists, students and human rights defenders.

Government was also urged to ratify the convention against torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading punishment which would criminalise torture in Zimbabwe.

A total of 166 out of the 193 United Nations member States have adopted the convention. Zimbabwe and Tanzania are the only two African countries that have neither signed nor ratified the convention.