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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Zimbabwe's Elections 2013 - Index of Articles
Statement on the International Day of Democracy
Heal Zimbabwe
Trust
September 16, 2013
Heal Zimbabwe
joins the nation and the rest of the world in commemorating the
International Day of Democracy. The International Day of Democracy,
which is celebrated on The 15th of September, was established by
the United Nations in 2007 as an opportunity to review the state
of democracy in the world. In particular, the day celebrates the
values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of
holding genuine elections by universal suffrage. The United Nations
goes on further to highlight that democracy is a universal value
based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their
own political, economic, social, cultural systems and their full
participation in all aspects of their lives. Heal Zimbabwe is convinced
that the ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the
dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, achieve social
cohesion and justice, foster economic and social development in
a niche to guarantee social stability and well-being.
This year's
commemorations are coming under the banner of, Strengthening Voices
for Democracy. The theme emphasises the importance of people's voices,
both expressed directly and through their elected representatives
in today's political, economic, social, developmental, environmental
and technological debates. Therefore, the ability of people to raise
their voices and decide how they are governed lies at the heart
of democracy. For this democracy to be achievable and sustainable,
there is need to build strong institutions. These institutions have
to ensure good governance, accountability, equality and justice
for all citizens. Coming against the background of the contested
July
31 2013 harmonized elections, in which the professionalism and
impartiality of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the security
forces, the judiciary and traditional leaders has been questioned,
the commemorations could not have come at a more appropriate time
in Zimbabwe. This justifies the need for strengthening local community
voices in ensuring accountability of public institutions, their
transparency and responsiveness to their needs and expectations.
Heal Zimbabwe
emphasizes the need for tolerance of diverse views as an important
ingredient to a truly democratic state and society. This freedom
is expressed in Zimbabwe’s new democratic constitution.
We also content the need to return to constitutionalism, where the
respect for the constitution by all citizens remain paramount and
pivotal to the building of a democratic Zimbabwe. We call upon the
new Government to create an environment conducive for a free, unfettered
and active civil society.
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Zimbabwe fact
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