The United Nations special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, is in Zimbabwe for an official visit from Monday 28 September to 9 October 2026, at the invitation of the Government.
In a press statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson, Philisiwe Chidawanyika said during her visit, Xanthaki will consult with Government officials, civil society, academia, artists, and cultural practitioners with emphasis on marginalized groups, to gain an understanding of efforts and progress being made towards the realization of cultural rights in Zimbabwe.
The special rapporteur will, after the visit, present her final report to the 64th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027, with recommendations to support ongoing national efforts to advance cultural rights in the country, in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and with international treaties and conventions that Zimbabwe is signatory to, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The visit is the first under the cultural rights mandate, and a third by a UN official under its Special Procedures since 2019.
In September 2019, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Clement Nyaletsossi Voule conducted the first ever official Special Procedures visit to Zimbabwe from 17 to 27 September 2019.
This was followed by Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures Alena Douhan, who visited Zimbabwe from 18 to 28 October 2021.
New Ziana
New Ziana
