MDC-T commemorates Universal Human Rights Day

The MDC today joins Zimbabwe and the rest of the world in celebrating the Universal Human Rights Day under the theme: "Celebrate Human Rights". However, as we commemorate this day we note with grave concern the increase in the crackdown on independent journalists, MDC activists and human rights defenders by State security agents and non-State actors.

Only on Thursday, in Bulawayo police blocked a march by members of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).  The march was to commemorate the International Human Rights Day.

As the MDC, we deplore the incessant onslaught on the media and civic society organisations by Zanu PF and the police who think that Zimbabwe must remain under the yoke of dictatorship. We are worried that the human rights situation in Zimbabwe is deteriorating and the rights of the people including women and children are not being safeguarded.  This is very disturbing and has serious implications on the democratic process in Zimbabwe.

All democratic and human rights defenders, private media institutions and individuals in Zimbabwe are marked for persecution and arrests by Zanu PF functionaries in the police force. Continued human rights violations threaten to destabilise the already fragile inclusive government.

The MDC demands that the police force acts in a professional manner and puts a stop to these systematic and escalating violations of human rights in the country. As a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the MDC urges the inclusive government to show political will in abiding by this resolution.

Zimbabwe needs to uphold the rule of law at all times so that it is able to re-join the family of nations. The people of Zimbabwe deserve to live in a society where their security is guaranteed and their dignity respected.