N AT I O N A L I N Q U I R Y R E P O R T ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity CHAPTER 7: RECOMMENDATIONS 7.0 Introduction The ZHRC came up with the recommendations drawn from the findings and outcomes of the Inquiry. The recommendations are targeted in that they are addressed to the relevant stakeholders or actors with the obligation to implement them. They are categorised into policy framework, legal framework, administration of documentation, gender dimension of documentation, cultural dimension of documentation, family structure and documentation and knowledge, attitudes and practices. Indicators for monitoring the implementation of each recommendation have been established and a time frame for implementation has been set as detailed in the recommendation’s matrix in Annexure 16. The recommendations to specific Ministries, Departments and Institutions are outlined below. 7.1 Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage (RG Department, Immigration Department and Zimbabwe Republic Police) Policy Framework 1. Develop a national policy on access to documentation to provide guidance, strategies and framework on documentation. 2. Develop internal policies/procedures/manuals consistent with the law to provide guidance and instructions for the DRG staff on issuing of national documents. 3. Implement the Devolution Strategy in line with Section 264 of the Constitution to address lack of decentralisation of DRG services. 4. Conduct regular and well-resourced mobile registration programmes. 5. Investigate all allegations of corruption at the DRG offices and take measures to address this vice, such as installation of CCTVs at offices. 6. Formulate and implement policies on accelerated registration of internally displaced persons and all special interest groups142. Legal Framework 142 1. Amend Section 12 of the BDR Act to remove discriminatory provisions that affect registration of children born out of wedlock. 2. Develop Regulations to the BDR Act for better implementation of its provisions. 3. Take measures to ensure that all children born in Zimbabwe are registered at birth without discrimination in order to address the gap in the law that denies children born of indeterminate nationality the right to have their births registered. 4. Ratify the 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and domesticate its provisions through nationality/citizenship laws so as to ensure that every child enjoys the right to acquire a nationality. 5. Amend the BDR Act to give responsibility of registering children to other categories of persons where parents are not available. 6. Align the Citizenship Act to the Constitution to allow for dual citizenship. 7. Develop a law or regulations to regulate and guide the issuance of travel documents. 8. Develop standard forms for schools and traditional leaders to be used in support of applications for birth registrations. See Chapter 4 on documentation issues and suggested recommendations in Annexure 16. 59 59