ZIMBABWE was one of only five countries that voted against a United Nations arm’s resolution to allow a key international media lobby group access to the global body’s institutions, it has been learnt.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
According to a statement issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Zimbabwe, together with China, Rwanda, Vietnam and Russia voted against the resolution that sailed through after 40 of the 54 countries in the Economic Social Council called in favour, while six abstained and three were absent.
Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Joey Bimha on Thursday said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.
“I do not know what really happened in New York. I will find out,” he said.
However, repeated attempts to get a comment yesterday failed, as his mobile phone was unreachable. President Robert Mugabe and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame head two of Africa’s most secretive administrations. They are joined by ultra-restrictive China and Russia.
“The step will allow the independent non-profit organisation to access UN bodies and processes, such as the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where accredited non-governmental organisation (NGOs) can deliver a counter-narrative to States.
“The council’s vote today (July 25) recognises the important role CPJ has played and continues to play at the UN by providing expert knowledge and analysis on Press freedom-related issues,” CPJ executive director, Joel Simon, said.
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“While we are grateful that the vote finally grants CPJ accreditation, we remain disheartened at the politicised process for gaining accreditation and hope the fact that our application took so long and was so contentious is a wakeup call for the bodies that ensure NGOs are able to access the United Nations.”
Reporting on Mugabe remains a minefield for private media journalists in particular, amid constant harassment.
The decision to grant CPJ consultative status, according to the statement, is a culmination of a four-year process that included seven deferrals based on “arcane UN procedure”.
“On May 26, CPJ’s application was denied by a vote of the NGO committee. Today’s vote by the full 54-member council overrides that rejection,” the CPJ said.
