Statement by the Republic of Korea for the Universal Periodic Review of Zimbabwe
(10 October 2011, Geneva)
The Republic of Korea would first like to welcome __________, head of delegation from Zimbabwe and put forth our appreciation for his comprehensive presentation today.
My delegation notes with satisfaction the positive steps that Zimbabwe has taken towards promoting and protecting human rights in some areas. The recent establishment of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is noteworthy. We also acknowledge Zimbabwe’s achievements of a high literacy rate as a result of introducing the Education for All Policy, and commend the recent decreases in the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS, etc.
My delegation welcomes the 2009 formalization of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) between relevant parties, which led to the creation of the Government of National Unity. Considering the ongoing efforts to draft a new constitution, we encourage the government to consult closely with all key stakeholders of the GPA and to ensure that the drafting process is as inclusive as possible. In this regard, we look forward to the finalization of the draft and the subsequent referendum process.
While the Republic of Korea stands in support of these ongoing democratic processes, we remain concerned over a lack of cooperation on certain aspects of some UN human rights mechanisms. Along these lines, we recommend that Zimbabwe submit its periodic reports in a timely manner, and extend invitations to the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders.
While noting with satisfaction the efforts of promoting gender mainstreaming by all sectors and the participation of women in politics, we recognize the importance of addressing areas where legal statutory law and customary law conflict. Our delegation expresses concern over the primacy of customary law, especially as it pertains to women in the areas of marriage and inheritance laws. We therefore recommend that Zimbabwe enforce its established policies and uphold its legislation to prevent instances of marginalization and discrimination against women. Thank you, Madam President. /End/
