An upcoming visit by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) to Zimbabwe has drawn attention to the country’s human rights climate, as debate intensifies over proposed constitutional changes.
The ACHPR is due to conduct a promotion mission in Zimbabwe from 30 March to 2 April 2026, as part of its mandate to engage with governments and stakeholders on the protection and promotion of human rights.
In a statement, the Commission said its delegation would include Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, who is responsible for human rights promotion in Zimbabwe and also serves as Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, and Commissioner Selma Sassi-Safer, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa.
The delegation will meet government officials, members of parliament, the judiciary, police, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, with a view to assessing the human rights situation in the country. Its preliminary findings will be shared with authorities at the end of the visit, followed by a press briefing.
The mission comes as Zimbabwe is considering the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, which has sparked debate among politicians, analysts and civil society groups.
The proposed changes include extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and altering the method of electing the president. If adopted, the amendments could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028.
Critics argue the proposals could shift power towards the executive and weaken democratic accountability, while supporters say reforms are needed to improve governance.
Political analyst Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda said the timing of the ACHPR visit was significant.
“While the Commission did not directly pronounce on the Amendment Bill, its emphasis on adherence to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including freedoms of expression, association and participation, resonates strongly within the current constitutional debate,” he said.
Another analyst, Mxolisi Ncube, said the visit reflects increasing regional attention on Zimbabwe.
“The timing signals growing regional scrutiny as Zimbabwe navigates another potentially defining constitutional moment,” he said.
He added that recent developments, including the arrest of opposition figures campaigning against the Bill, raise concerns about the environment for public consultation.
“Such developments raise questions about whether the environment for public consultation is sufficiently open and inclusive,” Ncube said.
Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, adopted through a national referendum, introduced presidential term limits and expanded rights protections, which some analysts say could be affected by the proposed changes.
Critical studies scholar Dr Khanyile Mlotshwa said the Commission’s visit could help reinforce key democratic principles.
“We can only hope the ACHPR’s engagement with stakeholders, particularly the government, will reinforce the principle that constitutional reform must be anchored in transparency, inclusivity, and respect for fundamental rights,” he said.
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