Speech

40th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Zimbabwe

The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French delivered this statement during Zimbabwe's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Rita French
Published
26 January 2022
This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
Location:
Geneva, Switzerland
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Rita French

The United Kingdom acknowledges the repeal of Zimbabwe’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We are concerned by restrictions on freedom of assembly, the harassment of journalists, opposition and civil society, and that the Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill could be used to restrict civic space.

The UK calls on Zimbabwe to hold accountable those individuals responsible for human rights violations, as well as for the Government to increase access to basic documentation and tackle gender-based violence. We are also concerned by constitutional amendments which risk reducing judicial independence.

We recommend Zimbabwe:

  1. Fully implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry Report;

  2. Fully implement the recommendations of the 2018 election observer reports ;

  3. Align the Marriages Act with the constitution to criminalise child, early and forced marriage.

Updates to this page

Published 26 January 2022