THE Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a 2016 High Court
decision barring sex workers from holding a street march in Bulawayo to protest
against abuse.
The street march, which coincides with the International
Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers which takes place annually on December
17, was organised by the Sexual Rights Centre (SRC).
Police had turned down the SRC application on grounds that
prostitution was illegal in Zimbabwe.
Subsequent applications were also turned down, forcing the
SRC to take the then Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo and Police
Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to the High Court, challenging a
decision by the police to bar sex workers – commonly referred to as prostitutes
– from holding a street march.
The High Court turned down their application, forcing the
SRC to approach the Supreme Court.
SRC executive director, Humphrey Ndondo welcomed the
Supreme Court decision to allow the organisation to go ahead with their march
to highlight the discrimination and harassment faced by sex workers.
“The SRC welcomes the decision to set aside the High Court
ruling. Throughout Zimbabwe, sex workers and other marginalised persons are
extremely vulnerable to violence, stigma and abuse. In a democratic society
such as Zimbabwe, it is important that we create awareness and dialogue aimed
at preventing such abuse and the impunity associated with it,” Ndondo said.
The Bulawayo-based Sexual Rights Centre is a national human
rights organisation which promotes and encourages openness and tolerance in
order to address stigma and discrimination affecting vulnerable and
marginalised persons.
“The decision comes at an important time and has opened the
door for the SRC to hold a peaceful march to commemorate the upcoming
International Day on December 17, 2017,” Ndondo added.
Tashwill Esterhuizen, a programmes lawyer at the Southern
Africa Litigation Centre, added: “The right to peaceful demonstration and
assembly are important rights in any democratic society. They are beneficial
since they increase appreciation in society of diverse ideas and opinions and
bolster social cohesion.” Newsday
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