Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Tuesday joined other countries on the continent in commemorating Africa Human Rights Day, which was running under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations for Slavery and Colonialism.”
Africa Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), in 1981. The Charter came into force in 1986 and is considered a foundational legal instrument for human rights in Africa.
The theme for this year highlights the importance of historical redress as it calls for justice for Africans and people of African descent who suffered under slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic discrimination.
Addressing a press conference, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairperson Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome commended the government for its continued efforts to promote and protect human rights in line with the African Charter.
She noted that the government had incorporated many of the Charter’s provisions into national legislation, including the Constitution. “The Government of Zimbabwe has implemented the rights provided for in the African Charter and other human rights treaties by incorporating them into the Declaration of Rights in Chapter 4 of the Constitution, as well as in national laws and policies,” she said.
“In spite of various challenges, we applaud the recent ratification of key African protocols, such as the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons in 2024, and the Protocol on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security in 2022.” Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission commemorated Africa Human Rights Day through exhibitions and public engagement activities in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo.
The activities are expected to raise awareness about the ACHPR, citizens’ rights, and the Commission’s work in promoting human rights in Zimbabwe.
Despite low public awareness of the day across the continent, the ZHRC is leading efforts to revive its recognition locally and regionally. In March this year, Majome moved a motion within the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions calling for African countries to celebrate the day more actively. The motion was later adopted during the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights session in Banjul, The Gambia.
Africa Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that human rights are not foreign concepts in Africa, but are rooted in the continent’s traditions and values in society.
New Ziana
