The United Nations has said that it welcomes the decision by High Court judge Justice Joseph Mafusire which compels Zanu-PF to stop forcing school children and teachers to attend political rallies. The order also barred Zanu-PF from using school resources such as premises, furniture and buses for its political activities. In a statement, the United Nations said,
The UN welcomes the High Court decision to protect children from being forced to attend political rallies.
The ruling from Zimbabwe’s High Court, announced on 28 June 2018, states that school children must not be forced to attend political rallies and that political parties must not be allowed to use school equipment, including vehicles for political interests.
This is in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, that the best interests of the child must be the paramount consideration in every situation, and at all times.
The UN emphasizes schools must be havens of safety and children must continue to have uninterrupted access to basic social services.
However, Zanu-PF has been accused of defying the court order. The party is claiming that it has appealed the decision at the Supreme Court.
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