BY STAFF REPORTER The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has called on the corporate world and development partners to assist government so that its recommendations are implemented.
Speaking at the handover of water tanks, pumps, fittings and personal protective equipment to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services at Harare Central Prison on Tuesday, ZHRC executive secretary Delice Mazambani said the donation was their contribution towards the prevention and containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in prisons.
“… the commission has shifted from proffering recommendations without positive action to ensuring full realisation and advancement of human rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and other regional and international normative frameworks, hence this donation which is meant to ensure progressive realisation of the right to clean, safe and potable water as well as the right to health and ultimately the right to life,” Mazambani said.
The donation, made possible through the partnership of ZHRC and the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), included four 5 000-litre water tanks, four water pumps and fittings, 20 infra-red thermometers, 16 boxes of surgical masks, 1 280 reusable branded face masks, 80 face shields, 80 boxes of latex gloves, 800 single units of soap and 400 units of 500ml sanitisers.
ZPCS Deputy Commissioner-General Social Ndanga said: “We remain grateful and our doors remain open to all willing stakeholders who are keen to join hands with us on the upkeep and welfare of inmates as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic”.
He added: “It is my belief that today’s donation will instil in the inmates a sense of acceptance by, and belonging to the community, which in turn prepares them psychologically for reintegration into the society.
“Having said that, we continue to call upon willing partners to come on board as the welfare of inmates is not ZPCS’ responsibility alone, but society at large as well.” ZADHR executive director Calvin Fambirai hailed their partnership with the ZHRC.
“We believe engagement and partnership are the future as we seek to build strong institutions that are responsive to emerging health and human rights challenges,” he said.
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“COVID-19 is one such challenge. It is our hope that the support extended to ZPCS through ZHRC will go a long way in enhancing access to water, sanitation and hygiene in prison settings.”
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