Protesters force their way into Parly, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill

by Matthews stell

A group of rowdy political activists on Saturday violently forced their way into Parliament Building in Harare as they sought to be part of the public hearing on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill.

The protesters were pushing for the deferment of debate on the Bill until after the conclusion of the ongoing constitution-making process.

They argued that Zimbabweans should be afforded ample time to consider the proposed legislation before it is tabled in Parliament.

Trouble started after members of the public and panellists, among them legislators, had already gathered in Parliament's Government Caucus Room.

The chamber was packed, resulting in hundreds being turned away.

A good number of those who managed to force their way in heckled Hwange Central House of Assembly Member Mr Brian Tshuma whom they accused of singing the national anthem with arms akimbo.

Some of the protesters tugged him by the necktie and shoved him out of the meeting room.

Proceedings only got back on track after the event organisers quelled the situation. However, the peace was short-lived as contributions on the Bill sparked yet another round of commotion.

The protesters reiterated calls for the deferment of debate on the Bill. In the meantime, another group which had been turned away earlier forced its way into Parliament Building, knocking down equipment that included a security scanner.

Another contingent waited outside, denouncing the Bill and arguing that it should have been written in local languages.

Part of the rowdy crowd later assaulted senior Financial Gazette reporter Levi Mukarati, who had to be rescued by riot police.

According to Sunday Mail, the newspaper's crew covering the event also had to scurry for cover, as the protesters became all the more threatening. Harare lawyer Mr Godwills Masimirembwa, who attended the hearing, said the public had not been adequately educated on the Bill.

"Parliament should teach the people, then consider their views when they are in the know. The venue was also too small to conduct a public hearing," he said.

The public hearing was the last of seven meetings held countrywide by a Joint Committee of the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs and the

Senate Thematic Committee on Human Rights.

It sought to gather public opinion on the Bill before it is debated in the House of Assembly and later in Senate.

The joint committee will produce a report which will be presented to both Houses during the second reading stage of the Bill.

Source: Sunday Mail


(2011-7-24/bulawayo24.com)