By Fr. Johnston Z. Mlambo
Harare, 5 September 2025 – In a landmark development for human rights and social justice, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formally cements collaboration between the two institutions in promoting human dignity, justice, and peace across the country.
The MoU provides a framework for case referrals, joint advocacy, research, outreach, and education programmes. It commits both parties to share knowledge and expertise, hold regular review meetings, and support each other’s human rights initiatives at both national and community levels.
Speaking before the signing, Ms. Jessie Majome, Chairperson of ZHRC, described the occasion as both timely and symbolic, noting that it comes just nine months after Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty.
“That shows that the light that was shown by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace has been finally seen and embraced in our governance and in our halls of power, so that now as Zimbabweans we are happy and proud that the law will not be used to kill another person,” she said.
She called the MoU a celebration of progress:
“It is a moment to celebrate the abolition of the death penalty and continue to work for the dignity, the freedom, and the equality of all human beings.”
Majome praised the long-standing collaboration between ZHRC and CCJPZ, stressing that this formal agreement is not the beginning but the strengthening of an already fruitful partnership. She also underlined the Church’s unique role in shaping a kinder, more tolerant society:
“CCJPZ and the Church in general are particularly well placed to assist the work of making Zimbabwe a kinder society, one where there is tolerance—tolerance of our different ideas, our different thoughts, and even our different political ideals.”
While commending Zimbabwe’s human rights progress, including milestones such as the abolition of the death penalty, Majome warned that political intolerance continues to cast shadows over these gains.
“Sadly, there are some issues that eclipse all the good that has been achieved, and that is when political interest rises and Zimbabweans forget that they are Zimbabweans. We have seen violence, disruptions of meetings, and intolerance of other people’s views,” she lamented.
For Fr. Tryvis Moyo C.Ss.R., Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), the signing of the MoU marked nothing less than “a significant milestone in our journey towards promoting human rights and justice in Zimbabwe.”
Addressing delegates at the ceremony, Fr. Moyo stressed that the work of CCJPZ is anchored in the Social Teachings of the Church (STCs)—a body of wisdom guiding believers in building a just society while living holy lives amid the challenges of modern society.
“This partnership we are witnessing today between CCJPZ and ZHRC embodies our shared values of promoting human dignity, justice, and peace. It is rooted in the conviction, so clearly expressed by Pope Francis, that every person is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity” (Evangelii Gaudium, 183), he said.
He reminded participants that the Catholic Church holds the dignity of the human person as the foundation of all its social teaching.
“Every person is precious. People are always more important than things. The true measure of any institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person,” he emphasised.
Quoting Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (1891), he added:
“The Church has always taught that the goods of the earth are meant for all people, and that the right to private property is not absolute, but is subordinated to the universal destination of goods. This partnership enables us to work together to ensure the rights of all people are respected.”
Fr. Moyo also turned to Scripture to underline the moral and spiritual depth of the moment:
“As we sign this MoU, we are reminded of the words of the Psalmist: ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled’ (Matthew 5:6). We hunger and thirst for righteousness, and we commit ourselves to working together to defend the vulnerable and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8–9).
Expressing gratitude to the ZHRC for its tireless work, and to the CCJPZ team for its dedication, he framed the partnership as an act of faith and service:
“The Church’s mission is not to build a fortress but to be a field hospital, where the wounded are healed and the sick are cared for. This MoU is a testament to that mission. Together, we pledge to build a society guided by love, compassion, and justice.”
Fr. Moyo concluded with a call to collective action:
“Let us work together to promote human rights, justice, and peace in Zimbabwe. Let us strive to build a society that is just, equitable, and peaceful.”
Following the signing of the MoU, both the ZHRC Chairperson and the Secretary General of the ZCBC expressed confidence that the agreement will go a long way in promoting human rights and social justice in Zimbabwe.
Majome expressed optimism that through this MoU, CCJPZ will refer cases of violence and other human rights violations to ZHRC for investigation, in line with its constitutional mandate, and that both institutions will undertake joint research and policy advisory work.
Fr. Moyo shared the same optimism, noting that CCJPZ often encounters reports of rights violations but lacks the mandate to investigate. The partnership with ZHRC bridges that gap:
“Since ZHRC is one of the Chapter 12 commissions with the mandate to investigate, whenever we hear or identify such issues, we now have a partner whom we can approach to take action. This complements our work in a concrete way.”
He emphasised that ordinary Zimbabweans stand to benefit most from the collaboration, since the gospel values the Church teaches—human dignity, justice, and peace—are also human rights values that ZHRC can legally enforce.
Both institutions affirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation through case referrals, public education, and joint advocacy, while respecting each other’s distinct mandates.
The MoU, effective for three years and renewable by mutual agreement, underscores a shared vision of building a society where justice, peace, and human dignity are not only proclaimed but also protected in law and practice.
