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Towards A Zimbabwe where there is
Peace, Justice, Dignity and Development
for All.
In a report to the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with
disabilities (PWDs), Gerard Quinn, on March 13 stated that there was need to develop a new philosophy of services
and support systems which are essential for PWDs to live with dignity, autonomy and independence. A UN expert
stated that the voices of PWDs should be included in broader policy approaches to care and services. Mr Quinn
mentioned that personhood and social inclusion should always determine how services and support systems are
designed, delivered, and monitored in order to make the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities a
reality. He also stated that at a time of an unprecedented global cost of living crisis, human rights-based support
systems and services for people with disabilities must be prioritised to ensure that no one is left behind. ZPP is
concerned with the report that an affiliated group known as People with Disabilities for Economic Development
(PWD4ED) have pledged to deliver 1, 5 million votes to President Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF party, in this year’s
harmonised elections. The toxic politics in Zimbabwe is characterised by intolerance and hate language which has
seen a surge in gross human rights violations against PWDs. ·Government, ZEC and the ZRP must take genuine steps
to enhance the participation of PWDs in the electoral system and thereby protect their rights in the upcoming 2023
election and post-election period.
MARCH 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
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