Upenyu Chaota
As
the world marks the 61st anniversary of the International Human
Rights Day, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum) has lamented the
deterioration in living standards, claiming that the President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s government was not showing an urgent quest to fix the economy.
the world marks the 61st anniversary of the International Human
Rights Day, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum) has lamented the
deterioration in living standards, claiming that the President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s government was not showing an urgent quest to fix the economy.
The
2019 commemorations are being held under the global theme, ‘Youth Standing up
for Human Rights’.
2019 commemorations are being held under the global theme, ‘Youth Standing up
for Human Rights’.
The
United Nations, in coming up with this theme, aims to celebrate the potential
of youth in facilitating sustainable development, amplify their voices, and
engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of
rights.
United Nations, in coming up with this theme, aims to celebrate the potential
of youth in facilitating sustainable development, amplify their voices, and
engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of
rights.
In
a statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday
(December 10), The Forum slammed the government for not dealing decisively with
the current economic crisis which has seen doctors embarking on a crippling
strike which has brought chaos at the public hospitals.
a statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday
(December 10), The Forum slammed the government for not dealing decisively with
the current economic crisis which has seen doctors embarking on a crippling
strike which has brought chaos at the public hospitals.
“It
is within that context that the Forum takes time to reflect on the state of
human rights in Zimbabwe in 2019 and how it has advanced the tenets of the
Declaration as it commemorates this day. Zimbabwe has embraced the Declaration
by incorporating its provisions in its Constitution, expounded under the Bill
of Rights.
is within that context that the Forum takes time to reflect on the state of
human rights in Zimbabwe in 2019 and how it has advanced the tenets of the
Declaration as it commemorates this day. Zimbabwe has embraced the Declaration
by incorporating its provisions in its Constitution, expounded under the Bill
of Rights.
“The
Forum laments that we are commemorating the coming into effect of this
milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is
inherently entitled to as a human being, against a background of a
deteriorating political, economic and social environment in Zimbabwe.
Forum laments that we are commemorating the coming into effect of this
milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is
inherently entitled to as a human being, against a background of a
deteriorating political, economic and social environment in Zimbabwe.
“The
Forum is particularly concerned by the lack urgency on the part of government
to resolve the economic crisis, contrary to the spirit of the Declaration we
are commemorating today,” said the Forum in a statement.
Forum is particularly concerned by the lack urgency on the part of government
to resolve the economic crisis, contrary to the spirit of the Declaration we
are commemorating today,” said the Forum in a statement.
The
Forum noted with concern the economic crisis that has resulted in erosion of
disposable income and unemployment resulting in widespread poverty primarily
because of poor governance, pervasive corruption and mismanagement of funds.
Forum noted with concern the economic crisis that has resulted in erosion of
disposable income and unemployment resulting in widespread poverty primarily
because of poor governance, pervasive corruption and mismanagement of funds.
“This
has manifested in a crippling industrial action by healthcare personnel in
state medical facilities, continuous surging of prices of foodstuffs, shortages
of clean water, and the right to education has also been severely affected,”
reads the statement.
has manifested in a crippling industrial action by healthcare personnel in
state medical facilities, continuous surging of prices of foodstuffs, shortages
of clean water, and the right to education has also been severely affected,”
reads the statement.
The
Forum slammed the government for suppressing the views of the masses in the
face of the economic crisis by using brute force on all opposing views.
Forum slammed the government for suppressing the views of the masses in the
face of the economic crisis by using brute force on all opposing views.
“It
is regrettable that while all this has been happening, the government instead
has increased suppression of rights and freedoms.
is regrettable that while all this has been happening, the government instead
has increased suppression of rights and freedoms.
“In
particular, the freedom of expression, assembly, association and the freedom to
demonstrate and petitions are severely curtailed. During the year the Forum
recorded an increase in levels of violence and brutality especially against
known and or perceived protestors and human rights defenders.
particular, the freedom of expression, assembly, association and the freedom to
demonstrate and petitions are severely curtailed. During the year the Forum
recorded an increase in levels of violence and brutality especially against
known and or perceived protestors and human rights defenders.
“The
Forum notes with concern the growing impunity and disregard for the rule of law
by government institutions whose mandate is to serve and protect the citizens
of Zimbabwe,” reads the statement.
Forum notes with concern the growing impunity and disregard for the rule of law
by government institutions whose mandate is to serve and protect the citizens
of Zimbabwe,” reads the statement.
The
Forum also castigated the President Mnangagwa led administration for not
implementing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1, 2018
violence which saw soldiers shooting civilians in the streets of Harare.
Forum also castigated the President Mnangagwa led administration for not
implementing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1, 2018
violence which saw soldiers shooting civilians in the streets of Harare.
“It
is over a year since the release of the findings from the Commission of Inquiry
into the August 1 post-election shootings and the recommendations which include
prosecution of the police and military officers responsible for the shootings
are yet to be implemented.
is over a year since the release of the findings from the Commission of Inquiry
into the August 1 post-election shootings and the recommendations which include
prosecution of the police and military officers responsible for the shootings
are yet to be implemented.
“Instead
there has been an escalation in the brutality by the same security institutions
on protestors and innocent civilians,” reads the statement.
there has been an escalation in the brutality by the same security institutions
on protestors and innocent civilians,” reads the statement.
The
Forum said that it was launching the Tolerance Matters campaign which seeks to
promote a culture of respect for one another and appreciation of diversity and
inclusion.
Forum said that it was launching the Tolerance Matters campaign which seeks to
promote a culture of respect for one another and appreciation of diversity and
inclusion.
