Zimbabwe has been accused of violating human rights since the country embarked on a "controversial' land reform programme in February 2000 after the rejection of the government sponsored constitution.
Pillay is a former South African High Court judge and was invited by government to see for her self the situation on the ground.
Briefing journalists soon after her arrival, Pillay said she was looking forward to seeing for her self the real situation on the ground in Zimbabwe.
She will meet the prime minister and President Mugabe seperately and other government ministries and organizations.
"I am happy to be here at government invitation and for the next five days will be looking forward to interacting with many people including the president and prime minister and assessing for my self the real situation on the ground with regards to human rights," she said.
She was meet by Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
Post published in: News
We welcome Ms Navanathen Pillay in Zimbabwe so that she sees for herself the actual situation on the ground. It would be an eye opener if she has a chance to visit Mutoko where ZANU-PF shadow councillors have taken over food distribution forcefully from village heads and is only giving the food vouchers to their supporters denying other intended beneficiaries from other political parties. Out of 29 councillors in Mutoko 6 are MDC and are said to be “ceremonial†councillors when it comes to food distribution. Also in Masvingo, ZANU-PF supporters are benefiting from the grain loan scheme yet this should be done in a non –partisan manner. In Nyamukosi ZANU-PF youths are harassing villagers by blocking them from buying from a shop owned by a MDC supporter. Cases of threats, intimidation and victimization to non ZANU-PF supporters are common and one good example is in Hwedza. Peace building workshops with councillors and village heads should be encouraged in every district and these would bring positive impact in all areas as we expect that levels of political tolerance to improve so as to attain and establish a total 100% free and fair election environment before the forth coming elections in Zimbabwe