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 3: CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS 3.0 Introduction This Chapter highlights the key findings in terms of the challenges that people face in accessing the five types of identity documents covered by the National Inquiry. From the submissions received, Manicaland Province had the highest number of people experiencing challenges in accessing all the documents. The national document which had the greatest challenge in accessing, was the birth certificate followed by the national identity card, as shown by Figure 8 below. It was further established that the lack of access to a birth certificate impacted directly on the acquisition of the other documents. 50.9% 30% Birth Certificate National ID 8.5% 7.3% Passport Death Certificate 3.3% Citizenship Figure 8 Percentage of documents with challenges of access 3.1 Main Challenges in Accessing Documents The National Inquiry established that a number of barriers existed which hindered people’s access to documentation. These barriers included the following; registration issues, socio-cultural norms, and economic issues. Specific challenges faced by special interest groups are elaborated in Chapter 4. Socio cultural norms and registration requirements are the biggest challenges faced by many people to access documents in all the provinces. Registration issues refer to challenges emanating directly from the legal registration process such as lack of or inadequate registration requirements, data capturing errors and attitudes of the DRG Officials. Socio and cultural norm challenges refer to issues such as difficulties in registering orphans, presenting witnesses, migration and demand for lobola payment as will be explained in detail in the relevant sections. Figure 9 below shows findings on challenges experienced in accessing documents extracted from witness submission forms that were received. 38.5% 38% 16.6% 2.9% Social cultural norms Registration issues 1.8% Economic Gukurahundi Distance Figure 9 Percentage of challenges of accessing documentation 16 16 1.6% 0.6% Legal Natural Disasters