Introduction
Article 62
1. The Republic of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) is a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), since 30 May 1986. Zimbabwe also ratified the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol) on 15 April 2008 and the Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (The Kampala Convention) on 22 July 2013.
2. Zimbabwe submitted its Initial Report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) in 1992. Subsequently, Zimbabwe has since submitted its Periodic Reports, the latest was the 11th - 15th, reviewed at the Commission’s 65th Ordinary Session, held from 21 October – 10 November 2019 in Banjul, The Gambia.
3. The relating Concluding Observations were adopted at the Commission’s 69th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 15 November – 5 December 2021.
4. On 8 February 2024, Zimbabwe submitted to the Commission its 16th Periodic Report on the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and 2nd Periodic Report under the Maputo Protocol.
5. The Report was reviewed on 10 and 12 May 2025, in the framework of the Commission’s 83rd Ordinary public Session, held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2 to 22 May 2025.
6. A high-level Zimbabwean Delegation1, led by H.E. Mr Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, represented the State Party during the review, which was marked by a frank and constructive dialog with the members of the Commission.
7. At the end of the interactive dialog, the Delegation of Zimbabwe undertook to provide the Commission with more information in writing and sent a written contribution on 13 June 2025.
8. The Periodic Report highlights developments which have taken place in the country in the area of promotion and protection of human and people’s rights, and the legislative, administrative and judicial measures put in place to comply with the country’s obligations under the African Charter for the period 2019 to 2023.
9. The Commission takes note with appreciation of the participatory and inclusive process that led to the preparation of the Periodic Report, by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights and Human Rights Law (IMC) through conducting consultations with Government departments and agents, independent Commissions, women’s organisations, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations.
10. The Report includes part “B” on the implementation of the Maputo Protocol provisions, and provides information on challenges being faced by the GoZ in the implementation of such obligations.
11. The present Concluding Observations reflect positive aspects and factors limiting the enjoyment of human rights in Zimbabwe. They also highlight the areas of concern identified through the review of the Report and the additional information provided subsequently.
12. Finally, the Commission presents recommendations to the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) on measures necessary to strengthen the enjoyment of human rights, as guaranteed by the African Charter, the Maputo Protocol, the Kampala Convention, as well as other relevant regional and international instruments.
Recommendations : Zimbabwe should :
- Continue the State Party's commitment to the submission of Periodic Reports, in accordance with the relevant ACHPR Guidelines on State Reporting.
- Observe the Commission’s Guidelines for National Periodic Reports under the African Charter and the Maputo Protocol2.
- Include in the next periodic report a section on the implementation of the Kampala Convention.
- Include in the next periodic report a section on the implementation of the Protocols to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Rights of Older Persons, ratified by Zimbabwe in May 2024, following its recent entry into force.
