Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1998)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Penal sanctions involving compulsory labour as a punishment for the expression of views opposed to the established political, social or economic system. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to sections 64(1)(c), (d), 72(1), (2) and 80 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Cap. 10:27), under which penalties of imprisonment (involving compulsory prison labour) may be imposed for the abuse of freedom of expression, operating a mass media service without a registration certificate, falsification or fabrication of information or contravention of any other provision of the Act.

Referring to its observation addressed to the Government under the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to supply, with its next report, copies of the court decisions which could define or illustrate the scope of the above provisions, so as to enable the Committee to ascertain whether they are applied in a manner compatible with the Convention, as well as information on measures taken or contemplated in order to ensure the observance of the Convention in this regard.