News / National
Freedoms still being stifled in Zimbabwe - ZPP
12 Dec 2015 at 06:17hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has said freedoms in Zimbabwe are still under serious threat as people are still being brutalized for exe5rcising them.
ZPP made the claims as the nation joined the world in commemorating the International Human Rights day on 10 December.
"This year's International Human Rights' Day, themed: "Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always", comes at a time when human rights in Zimbabwe continue to be at threat," said ZPP.
"Freedom of Assembly and Association; Freedom to Demonstrate; Freedom of Expression; Equality and Non-discrimination; as in the cases of people being beaten up for preferring certain candidates, and in the situation where people from parties other than Zanu-PF are denied food assistance and relief; Property Rights; and the Right to Personal Liberty - all these rights among others - continue to be violated."
ZPP said in particular, this year has been characterised by the general deterioration of socio- economic rights for citizens across the board.
Some of the human rights violations that ZPP noted are the harassment of vendors and the unjustified confiscation of their wares; continued demolition of houses in various areas around the country; and even as the nation wonders and worries about the whereabouts of journalist cum activist, Itai Dzamara, who was abducted by suspected state agents on 9 March, 2015; and one, Karibon Nyemba, who was reportedly abducted in Chiredzi on 20 May, 2015.
"As Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) we continue to call for the respect, upholding and protection of human rights," said ZPP.
"However, on this occasion ZPP would like to take the opportunity to applaud the United Nations for the resolution of 25 November 2015, which condemns violence against and intimidation of human rights defenders. In the resolution, the United Nations General Assembly strongly and specifically calls upon all States to refrain from any act of intimidation or reprisal against human rights defenders, among other stipulations."
ZPP said this is a milestone for human rights defenders across the globe and goes a long way in affirming the struggles we go through as we work to be the voice for the voiceless in a terrain of intense resistance and sometimes threats to our lives, dedicated to creating a dignified existence for all.
"ZPP, however, notes with both concern and disappointment that Zimbabwe is one of the 14 countries that opposed the adoption of the resolution, which was supported by a majority of 117 out of 171 countries (40 countries abstained from voting). Indeed, we are grateful for the majority of countries which saw the need and moved the motion for the adoption of the Resolution," said the organiosation.
"The opposing stance by the government of Zimbabwe is not consistent with the country's Constitution, which provides in Chapter Four under the section on Declaration of Rights for the protection and promotion of human rights. This opposition of the resolution, like many other developments in our country since the adoption of the new Charter in May of 2013, brings into question government's commitment to the implementation in its entirety of the Constitution."
ZPP said if the government of Zimbabwe was indeed committed to the upholding of the Constitution in its entirety in letter and spirit there would be no need to feel adversely; to feel threatened; and to feel disinclined to acknowledging the work of defending rights.
"Opposing the UN resolution is tantamount to attempting to undermine and de-legitimise the work of human rights defenders! Yet, ZPP notes that, without human rights defenders, a considerable number of people in Zimbabwe in particular; and the world over in general, would not have anyone speaking for them or advocating their rights. This would be tragic for many in Zimbabwe and beyond whose rights are trampled on a daily basis," ZPP said.
"We take this opportunity to, as we have done countless of times before, urge government to demonstrate political will in the defence and promotions of citizens' rights. This is really about walking the talk. The Constitution must live, breathe and walk, not just talk."
ZPP made the claims as the nation joined the world in commemorating the International Human Rights day on 10 December.
"This year's International Human Rights' Day, themed: "Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always", comes at a time when human rights in Zimbabwe continue to be at threat," said ZPP.
"Freedom of Assembly and Association; Freedom to Demonstrate; Freedom of Expression; Equality and Non-discrimination; as in the cases of people being beaten up for preferring certain candidates, and in the situation where people from parties other than Zanu-PF are denied food assistance and relief; Property Rights; and the Right to Personal Liberty - all these rights among others - continue to be violated."
ZPP said in particular, this year has been characterised by the general deterioration of socio- economic rights for citizens across the board.
Some of the human rights violations that ZPP noted are the harassment of vendors and the unjustified confiscation of their wares; continued demolition of houses in various areas around the country; and even as the nation wonders and worries about the whereabouts of journalist cum activist, Itai Dzamara, who was abducted by suspected state agents on 9 March, 2015; and one, Karibon Nyemba, who was reportedly abducted in Chiredzi on 20 May, 2015.
"As Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) we continue to call for the respect, upholding and protection of human rights," said ZPP.
ZPP said this is a milestone for human rights defenders across the globe and goes a long way in affirming the struggles we go through as we work to be the voice for the voiceless in a terrain of intense resistance and sometimes threats to our lives, dedicated to creating a dignified existence for all.
"ZPP, however, notes with both concern and disappointment that Zimbabwe is one of the 14 countries that opposed the adoption of the resolution, which was supported by a majority of 117 out of 171 countries (40 countries abstained from voting). Indeed, we are grateful for the majority of countries which saw the need and moved the motion for the adoption of the Resolution," said the organiosation.
"The opposing stance by the government of Zimbabwe is not consistent with the country's Constitution, which provides in Chapter Four under the section on Declaration of Rights for the protection and promotion of human rights. This opposition of the resolution, like many other developments in our country since the adoption of the new Charter in May of 2013, brings into question government's commitment to the implementation in its entirety of the Constitution."
ZPP said if the government of Zimbabwe was indeed committed to the upholding of the Constitution in its entirety in letter and spirit there would be no need to feel adversely; to feel threatened; and to feel disinclined to acknowledging the work of defending rights.
"Opposing the UN resolution is tantamount to attempting to undermine and de-legitimise the work of human rights defenders! Yet, ZPP notes that, without human rights defenders, a considerable number of people in Zimbabwe in particular; and the world over in general, would not have anyone speaking for them or advocating their rights. This would be tragic for many in Zimbabwe and beyond whose rights are trampled on a daily basis," ZPP said.
"We take this opportunity to, as we have done countless of times before, urge government to demonstrate political will in the defence and promotions of citizens' rights. This is really about walking the talk. The Constitution must live, breathe and walk, not just talk."
Source - Byo24News
