NGOs Criticise Minister Over Rights Abuses

Rights groups are accusing Zimbabwe's Justice and Legal Affairs Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, of trying to fend off probes into allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated by President Robert Mugabe's regime since the country's independence in 1980.

These organisations fear that Chinamasa could prevent investigations into violations perpetrated by ZANU-PF in the 1980s and push the commission to investigate the post 2008 abuses.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) , "It must be borne in mind that the current foundation of the ZHRC [Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission] ... is weak and problematic and does not, in and of itself, facilitate the creation of an independent institution."

To read the article titled, “Minister trying to create a 'paper tiger' human rights commission,” click here.