Zimbabweans say yes to new constitution strong on gender. Even zimbabwes constitution waits for mugabe to pass the. Zimbabwe officially adopted a new constitution to replace the much maligned 1979. Major changes to constitution coming zimbabwe situation.
Mar 26, 20 even zimbabwe s constitution waits for mugabe to pass the baton, or pass away with crucial clauses not taking effect for 10 years, document recognises that nothing will change with the president. The obligations imposed by this constitution are binding on every person, natural or juristic, including the state and all executive, legislative and judicial institutions and agencies. The independence constitution of 1980 was the result of the 1979 lancaster house agreement and is sometimes called the lancaster constitution. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Zimbabwe ushered in a new constitution on 22 may 20 marking a major milestone in the sociopolitico and economic development of the country. Some of the new constitution s clauses do not take effect for 10 years. Mar 08, 2015 via major changes to constitution coming the sunday mail mar 8, 2015. Founding provisions sections 17 zimbabwe is founded on the following values and principles. Unpacking peoples awareness on the new constitution, which was adopted in 20 after a national referendum, sims revealed that although 70 percent of respondents were aware of the new. Chapter 1 founding provisions chapter 2 national objectives chapter 3 citizenship chapter 4. Zimbabwes 20 constitution replaced the 1980 constitution which had been supplemented with amendments over the years. The constitution of zimbabwe 20 provides for a devolved system of governance where local government is a tier and builds from the 1996 adoption by the cabinet of the thirteen principles of decentralisation. The constitutions effective date is 22nd august 20.
It also guarantees the right to equal pay and voids all laws, customs, traditions and cultural. The first download below is for the original text of. The constitutional reform process initiated in 2009 finally yielded a new constitution which has clear provisions promoting gender equality, including addressing past gender imbalances. In may 20, the government of zimbabwe adopted a new constitution constitution of zimbabwe, amendment number 20 which is very robust and express in terms of articulating a. Application of certain provisions of chapter 12 to zimbabwe anticorruption. Zimbabwe also ratified key womens rights instruments in fulfilment of the provisions and the spirit of the bpa viz.
In january 20, zimbabwe president robert mugabe and prime minister. Legislation online parliament of zimbabwe pdf of constitution doc. Zimbabwe is currently undertaking a constitution making process partly to fulfil provisions of the global political agreement gpa, partly to afford citizens an opportunity to contribute to the making of a democratic indigenous constitution and partly to afford the nation an opportunity to transcend the past of violence, authoritarianism, impunity and arbitrary rule. The three political parties in zimbabwe, zanupf, mdct and mdcn negotiated a new proposed constitution after a constitutional outreach program. This act repeals and replaces the existing constitution of 1979.
President robert mugabe today signed into law a new constitution, following a threeyear constitutionmaking process to replace the lancaster house constitution adopted at independence in 1980. Zimbabwe in contravention of the provisions of any law. Mar 18, 20 the low turnout means zimbabwe s constitution could end up being another chance for mugabes zanupf to laugh at the law mon 18 mar 20 17. Before amendment no 20 of 20, childrens rights were not set out in the constitution of zimbabwe. This constitution is the supreme law of zimbabwe and any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency. Dec 11, 2016 subject to this constitution, every zimbabwean citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any legislative body, including a provincial council and a local authority, established under this constitution or any act of parliament. A proposed constitution, drafted by a constitutional convention, was defeated by a constitutional referendum during 2000 in practice, the 2008 powersharing deal provided the. The author the constitutional history and the 20 referendum. Draft new constitution approved in referendum global. Such a provision opens the avenue for enforcing the bill of rights. Instead, constitutional principles are a basic blueprint of how the country or state, governed by that constitution, will be run. Several provisions of the draft were rejected president mugabe and the zanupf.
Indications are that only four sections of the supreme law are not up for discussion as they deal with the countrys founding values and rights of citizens. Proposed constitution of zimbabwe wikisource, the free. Mar 20, 20 the major problem with zimbabwes politics to date has been the concentration of power in the presidency. Are disability laws in zimbabwe compatible with the. Section 81 of the constitution adopted in 20 includes the following provisions.
May 22, 20 final papers of the 2016 national symposium on the promise of the declaration of rights under the constitution of zimbabwe. Constitution of zimbabwe 20 ms word format veritaszim. The 20 constitutional reform and the protection of women. The nsp is codified and articulated in various provisions of the new constitution and is meant to reengineer the countrys political. The constitution and the constitutional process in zimbabwe. National flag, national anthem, public seal and coat of arms. Founding provisions 1 the republic zimbabwe is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic. The constitution of zimbabwe 20 as a basis for local. Debating the inconsistencies between constitutional. The republic zimbabwe is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic. It is also, like the bible, easily manipulated, distorted. Mar 27, 2020 a constitutional provision is a specifically designated rulelaw within a nation or states constitution. Constitutional law constitution of zimbabwe 20 local government removal from office of mayor or councillors procedure which must be followed independent tribunal must be established power to remove mayor and councillors not vested in minister for local government. The new zimbabwe constitution was enacted by the constitution of zimbabwe amendment no.
Its sets out the new constitution in the schedule to the act. Government in 20 adopted the zimbabwe agenda for sustainable socio economic transformation zimasset which is the latest. The upper house of the parliament approved the draft document on february 7. Subject to this constitution, every adult zimbabwe citizen has the right. A child who is not a zimbabwean citizen, but is adopted by a zimbabwean.
This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the comparative constitutions project, and distributed on. New zimbabwe constitution can usher in new culture of human. The 20 constitutional reform and the protection of womens. Basic values and principles governing public administration. May 28, 20 zimbabwe officially adopted a new constitution to replace the much maligned 1979 lancaster house constitution.
A constitutional referendum was held in zimbabwe on 16 and 17 march 20, after being postponed from september 2011 and from 30 june 2011. New zimbabwe constitution can usher in new culture of. African customary law, customs, and womens rights muna ndulo. Thus zimbabwe is now on a path towards what is referred to as rightsbased approach to social policy. Zimbabwe has prioritized childrens rights, it adopted the convention on the rights of the child and various laws have been passed in the recent years which protect children. The 20 constitutional reform and the protection of womens rights in zimbabwe cowen dziva. Will a new constitution reverse zimbabwes political and. Easily share your publications and get them in front of issuus.
Originally, british style parliamentary system was adopted under the nkomo regime. The constitution of zimbabwe is the supreme law of zimbabwe. The new constitution was approved in the referendum of 16 march 20. Zimbabwe country constitutional profile constitutionnet. Some of the new constitutions clauses do not take effect for 10 years. Local government urban council suspension and dismissal of councillors powers given to. The new constitution of zimbabwe and its implications for. Provisions cannot be changed through court or common law, regardless of the circumstances that may arise. Zimbabwe adopted a new constitution in 20 to replace the genderinsensitive lancaster house constitution of 1979. The amendment also introduced a provision for the parliament to regulate by. Zimbabwe a new constitution was adopted approved in 20 recognizing the rights of men and women to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.
Zimbabwes new constitution presents a golden opportunity for the country to break away from a culture of impunity for human rights violations, amnesty international said today. The constitutional history and the 20 referendum of zimbabwe. The constitution s effective date is 22nd august 20. The constitution of zimbabwe was published as a schedule to the zimbabwe constitution order 1979 s. In may 20, the government of zimbabwe adopted a new constitution constitution of zimbabwe, amendment number 20 which is very robust and express in terms of articulating a number of human rights. The state must adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop. New constitution approved by parliamentary committee, global legal monitor feb. This page was basically created to post in its entirety, the final draft of the constitution for the republic of zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic. We the people of zimbabwe, united in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism.
Zimbabwes new constitution 20 constitution officially came into force on. Reflecting on zimbabwes constitution making process. Zimbabwe unitedenationse newsletter zimbabwe united nations in zimbabwe the new constitution adopted through a popular referendum in 20 was a major milestone in the history of zimbabwe. Ultimately the new constitution was approved by 94. Constitution of zimbabwe 20 zimbabwe legal information. Significant changes to the constitution which was adopted in 20 are in the works as government seeks to trim a bloated public payroll that gobbles around 90 percent of the annual budget.
Friday, april 19, 20 as a woman of zimbabwe, i personally wanted a constitution that is fit for me, said zimbabwes deputy minister of women affairs, gender and community development and member of parliament, jessie majome, who participated in zimbabwes constitutionmaking process as part of the select committee of parliament that facilitated the process. We the people of zimbabwe, united in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination and oppression, exalting and extolling the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the chimurenga umvukela and national liberation struggles, honouring our forebears and compatriots who toiled for the progress of our country, recognising the need to entrench democracy, good, transparent and. Special provision for election and tenure of first president and appointment of vicepresidents. Abridged draft constitution of the republic of zimbabwe february 20 introduction the constitution parliamentary select committee copac has produced this summary of the final draft constitution of zimbabwe 20 to assist the public understand the contents of the draft. The new constitution has, in many ways, reduced the powers of the president while. Zimbabwe adopted a new national security policy nsp following the adoption of the constitution of zimbabwe amendment no. This article largely relies on extant literature to analyze the adequacy of the 20 constitution in advancing womens rights and needs.
Zimbabwes new constitution 20 constitution officially came into force on 22 may 20 after being overwhelmingly approved at a constitutional referendum held on 16 and 17 march 20. It also guarantees the right to equal pay and voids all laws, customs, traditions and cultural practices that infringe on the rights of women. Zimbabweans from all walks of life participated in translating their individual and collective aspirations into a new supreme law of the land. Zimbabwe adopts a new constitution socioeconomic rights. Provided that, if subsequent to his birth his father or mother, as the case may be, is accepted for. Adoption of a new constitution paves the way for elections to be held later this year.
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