The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act is a constitutional amendment passed in 2013 by the Parliament of Zimbabwe. This amendment was intended to improve the democratic process and the functioning of the government in Zimbabwe. The amendment addressed a number of issues, including the independence of the judiciary and the creation of a Human Rights Commission.
Overview of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act was passed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe in 2013. This amendment was intended to strengthen and improve the democratic process and the functioning of the government in Zimbabwe. The amendment addressed a number of issues, including the independence of the judiciary, the creation of a Human Rights Commission, and the process for the appointment of the Public Protector. It also provided for the establishment of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Electoral Commission, and the introduction of a number of constitutional reforms.
Benefits of Constitutional Amendment No. 20
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act provided a number of benefits for the people of Zimbabwe. Firstly, it strengthened the independence of the judiciary by allowing judges to be appointed by the President, rather than by the executive branch of the government. This ensured that judges could act independently and without fear of political interference. Secondly, the amendment created a Human Rights Commission to monitor the state’s compliance with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. The amendment also provided for the establishment of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Electoral Commission, which allowed for greater oversight of the criminal justice system and the electoral process. Finally, the amendment introduced a number of constitutional reforms, such as the introduction of a Bill of Rights.
Overall, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act was a significant step forward in terms of strengthening the democratic process and the functioning of the government in Zimbabwe. It provided a number of benefits for the people of Zimbabwe, including the independence of the judiciary, the creation of a Human Rights Commission, the establishment of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Electoral Commission, and the introduction of a number of constitutional reforms.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act is a law passed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe in May 2013. The Act amends the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe by adding a number of new provisions, including the declaration of Zimbabwe as a “sovereign, democratic, successful and united nation” and the introduction of a Human Rights Commission.
The Human Rights Commission is an independent body which will be responsible for investigating and protecting the human rights of Zimbabweans. It will be established by a new constitutional body called the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. It will be made up of 11 members appointed by the President, two each from the Parliament, Senate, the Government and the National Council of Chiefs. The commission will have the powers to investigate alleged violations of human rights, to review legislation and policies to ensure their compatibility with human rights standards, to manage a national human rights strategy, to monitor human rights implementation, to provide advice and support to victims, and to work with Government bodies and civil society organizations to promote human rights in Zimbabwe.
The Act also includes provisions that aim to strengthen the protection of civil liberties, such as the right to freedom of expression and assembly, the right to privacy and the right to a fair trial. It also ensures access to higher education for those with disabilities, allows for the recognition of customary marriages and prohibits the discrimination of LGBT individuals.
In addition to introducing these new provisions, the Act seeks to strengthen the operation of the Government by increasing the upper and lower limits of standing committees in the Parliament and of the total number of members of the Masvingo House of Chiefs. These are bodies established in order to ensure more transparent and efficient decision making in the country.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act is a major step forward for the promotion of human rights, civil liberties and good governance in Zimbabwe. It is the latest in a series of reforms which have been put in place since the new Constitution was adopted in 2013. The Act is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that Zimbabwe can be a safe, secure and prosperous nation.