Amnesty International seeks constitutional safeguards

Amnesty International said on Tuesday that Zimbabwe's new draft constitution represents major human rights improvements, especially with respect to women's rights.

But in a statement released in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, the human rights group said additional safeguards had to be included in the new draft which will be put to a national referendum next week.

In a series of recommendations to President Robert Mugabe, Amnesty called for the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of gay and lesbian rights, and the prohibition of corporal punishment for children. It also said that evidence elicited through torture should be constitutionally
rendered inadmissible in court.

"Amnesty International concludes that the draft constitution represents major human rights improvements compared to the present constitution, particularly with regards to women's rights. However, it believes there are still a number of discrepancies between Zimbabwe's human rights obligations
under international law and the current draft of the constitution," the statement said.

The new constitution has been criticised by the opposition for retaining sweeping presidential powers.