INFORMATION,
PUBLICITY, LOBBY AND ADVOCACY
The aspects
of lobby and advocacy under
this programme will be tightly
linked to the Publications and
Information Unit, which has
as its goals to:
- Publicise
the various projects being
undertaken by ZLHR
- Provide resource and educational
material for the membership,
specific target groups and
the general public
- Sensitise
the public and policy makers
on the human rights situation
in Zimbabwe and the SADC
region and influence policy
and public opinion thereon
- Sensitise
the international community
on the human rights situation
in Zimbabwe and the SADC
region
- Minimize
the general impact of propaganda
of human rights violators
in Zimbabwe on the public,
policy makers and the international
community
- Protect
the democratic space of
the judiciary, lawyers and
other human rights defenders
by highlighting threats
and abuses
- Reinforce
the separation of powers
as between the Judiciary,
Legislature and the Executive
and introduce better democracy
in Zimbabwe
- Minimize
police brutality and torture
by publicising abuses at
the domestic and international
level
International
lobby and Advocacy
ZLHR participates in international
lobby and advocacy on human
rights issues in Zimbabwe including
providing technical support
for international litigation
or pursuit of remedies in international
fora. This process will also
entail more linkages and cooperation
with international NGOs and
other development partners.
ZLHR will continue to attend
and participate in important
human rights meetings such as
the United Nations Human Rights
Commission, the African Commission,
the Commonwealth Lawyers Conferences,
the International Bar Association
Conferences, the SADC Parliamentary
Forum meetings and the EU/ACP
Parliamentary meetings. The
primary objective of such programming
will be to ensure that the human
rights decision makers are furnished
with accurate information on
the human rights situation in
Zimbabwe and minimize the impact
of propaganda on the promotion
and protection of human rights
in Zimbabwe and within the SADC
region.
Legislative
Watch
ZLHR will analyse, submit commentaries,
and challenge existing and proposed
legislation where it is felt
that such legislation is contrary
to the Constitution and to the
principles of democracy. Efforts
will be made to have more contact
with the Parliamentarians before
legislation is brought to parliament
for adoption so as to minimize
the chances of legislation that
undermines the Constitution
and human rights being promulgated
into law. Workshops will also
be held with other NGOs and
Civil Society leaders to sensitise
them on impending repressive
legislation so that stakeholders
can lobby and advocate against
possible repressive legislation.
Judicial
Watch
ZLHR will challenge the harassment
and intimidation of judges,
magistrates and legal practitioners
by any organ, state or otherwise,
in an effort to uphold the integrity
of the courts and to ensure
the administration of justice.
Through its efforts in the international
arena, a number of resolutions
have been made in the international
meetings on the human rights
defenders plight in Zimbabwe.
This lobby and advocacy work
is critical for the strengthening
of the independence of the judiciary. |
