XV Edition GIZ Law Journal

ZIMBABWE

ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES

torture. (…) It is acknowledged that property including a police station, police vehicles and shops were destroyed and vandalized/looted whilst barricades were placed on roads to stop people from going to work. This however did not justify torture of citizens by the security forces as the right to freedom from torture is one right that cannot be derogated from under any circumstances.” Despite ZHRC other organizations played a crucial role around the January 2019 events. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) jointly with the Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe Chapter (Misa-Zimbabwe) filed an urgent chamber application challenging the suspension of provision of internet services in Zimbabwe. Following the application the High Court ruled on 21 January 2019 that the State Security Minister who had ordered the internet shutdown had no authority to do so. This resulted in an immediate restoration of full and unrestricted access to internet services. But ZLHR did not stop there. They furthermore provided emergency and follow up legal support to more than 1000 HRD and other people who were arrested or persecuted by the state and filed public

interest litigation cases on behalf of victims of human rights violations and victims of excesses perpetrated by members of the security sector. Both the ZHRC and ZLHR are partner organizations of the Strengthening Democracy and Citizen Participation project. The aim of the project is to enable CSOs and the ZHRC to make greater use of the space provided for in the 2013 Zimbabwean constitution to strengthen democracy and human rights. The project carries out activities in twomain interventionareas: first, increasing the capacities of the ZHRC and non-governmental human rights organisations, and secondly, supporting CSOs that work on enhancing political participation of the Zimbabwean population and on promoting accountability of state institutions towards citizens. The events of January 2019 do not only show the importance of designated human rights organizations to shed light on the human rights situation, especially during turbulent times, and to stand up for the rights of those people who are most vulnerable to human rights abuses but also for GIZ to continue its support to those dedicated human rights organizations. In order to achieve this, continued funding from BMZ and other development partners is key.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights Some Facts and Figures 35YearsofActivity

By: Marcia Campos

In 2014, and with the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the program International Regional Law and Access to Justice in Latin America – DIRAJus, published “35 years of activity: The Inter-American Court of Human Rights - Some facts and figures”. This publication presented statistical information on the work carried out by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the first 35 years since its establishment, putting on the table statistical data on the Submission of contentious cases to the Court, Judgements by State, Subject-matter of the Court’s violation judgments, Compensations ordered by the Court, and the Emblematic judgments and advisory opinions handed down by the Court, among other information. 4 years later, in 2018, and in the framework of the 40th anniversary celebration of the entry into force of the American Convention on Human Rights and the creation of Inter-American Court of Human Rights, DIRAJus, together with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, had the pleasure of publishing “40 years protecting rights”. This compilation is a completer and more updated version than the 35 years publication and gives us a more attractive and interesting look at the work of the Inter-American Court. During these four decades, the Court has brought attention to and protected persons and groups in situations of vulnerability that have historically been neglected, with this book, it is easy to recognize the implementation of new standards in the protection of rights. It is also important to mention that in 2018 was signed the Declaration of San José: a document signed by the Presidents of the European Court of Human Rights, the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, in San José, Costa Rica. Its objective to open the doors to a continuous dialogue, for the interchange of information, experiences and knowledge always in favor of human rights is implemented until today. If you are interested in learning more about this publication and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, please click on this link, where you can find “40 years protecting rights” in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. Enjoy reading! Marcia Campos

60

61