Zimbabwe

UPR 40, January 24, 2022
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendation

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Thank you, Mister President.

Canada welcomes Zimbabwe’s participation in the UPR process and acknowledges that some positive steps have been taken by Zimbabwe to bring the country’s laws into line with provisions of the 2013 Constitution.

Canada urges the Government to expeditiously pursue full re-alignment of laws in accordance with the 2013 Constitution, and to ensure fair and equal enforcement of its provisions.

Canada recommends that Zimbabwe:

1. Align the age of consent for marriage under the Customary Marriage Act and the Marriage Act (which is 16 years old) to the Constitution (which is 18 years old, the legal international benchmark for marriage).
2. Provide to all its citizens birth certificates and national identity cards in order to ensure access to education, government services and voter rolls.
3. Implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission on post-election 2018 violence, to provide redress to victims.
4. Amend existing laws that govern civil society organizations, including the Private Voluntary Organisations Act, to ensure the protection of civic space and of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. 

Canada continues to be concerned with reports of opposition party politicians and supporters, trade unions, labour activists, teachers, nurses, doctors, and human rights defenders being targeted for prosecution. As recommended during Zimbabwe’s last UPR, Canada urges the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure individuals are able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, free from intimidation and harassment.