Zimbabwe advocacy groups seek inclusion in country’s elections
On the eve of Zimbabwe’s general elections that took place on Wednesday, the country’s LGBTQ and intersex rights groups for the first time has called for their inclusion in the political process.
The manifesto highlights the main issues facing LGBTQ and intersex Zimbabweans and offers policy proposals aimed at addressing them. “It is grounded in the principles of human rights and seeks to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals in Zimbabwe.
The manifesto is the result of a consultative process that involved engagement with the LGBTQ community, and the Zimbabwe LGBTQ sector parties among other civil society organizations.
It is evidence-based and reflects the needs and concerns of the community,” it reads. “Work towards implementing policies and proposals that address the priority issues identified by the LGBTIQ community, and ensuring that the human rights of all individuals, including the LGBTQ community, are protected and respected is vital,” it adds. “There is also a need to ensure that there is accountability for any instances of discrimination or violence against LGBTQ individuals during the electoral process, and lastly, there is a need to engage in ongoing consultations with LGBTQ organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the needs and concerns of the community are being addressed.” The Zimbabwean Constitution does not specifically recognize same-sex relations, but they are not criminalized unless a person is caught engaging in sexual activities with a person of the same sex.
