Back to Index

Statement on World Human Rights Day 2009
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR)
December 10, 2009

ROHR Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in celebrating the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and inalienability of the inherent rights of the human family in this year's International Human Rights Day Commemorations being held under the theme ''embrace diversity end discrimination". December 10 marks the 61st anniversary of the observance of the human rights day since its adoption in 1948 by the United Nations Global Assembly.

Human rights are God given upon birth, every individual has a responsibility to teach human rights, to respect human rights, and to challenge institutions and individuals that abuse them. Every organ of the society, including corporations, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and educational institutions, also share the responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights.

It is a non negotiable truth that human rights are not gifts bestowed at the pleasure of governments or political parties. Nor should governments apply them to some people and not others. If they choose to do so or if they do so, it is the collective duty of the people to hold them accountable.

A year after the formation of the Global Political Agreement which brought about a coalition government between the warring parties ZANU PF and the MDC, the union has a long way to go to achieve a genuine free discrimination society which embraces a genuine spirit of inclusivity against a background of a painful legacy of a one party state dominance enjoyed by the ZANU PF party in the previous years.

The complexity of the challenges posed by discrimination in its various forms (particularly on the grounds of political affiliation) to the realization of equality, dignity and rights for all human beings is our society's most pressing human rights problem.

Despite the non negotiable principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, as the society stands today these fundamental human rights have become privileges. It is unfortunate that the one party state mentality is still among some individual groups, political parties, state institutions who still use discrimination as a weapons of oppression targeted at those who hold divergent ideas, beliefs, opinions and choices.

Discrimination is a major stumbling block to achieving the Millennium Development Goals particularly ending poverty and hunger, achieving universal education, achieving gender equality, child health and combating HIV/AIDS.
ROHR Zimbabwe is calling on the government to embrace more realistic reforms to transform state institutions to adopt a culture of respecting the dignity of all citizens and their diverse needs.

In line with this year's theme we urge the coalition government to take note of the following fundamental issues which should be observed for the observance of human rights:

• Equality before the law. Regardless of political affiliation no individuals or members from any one political party are immune from the rule of law.
• Equal protection before the law. All citizens should enjoy equal protection before the law as opposed to cases whereby the law enforcement agents are reluctant to act in incidents where the state is involved in the mysterious abductions of human rights and political activist. It is regrettable that the state sometimes assumes or sponsor criminal activities that constitute the violation of security rights of citizens as in the Jestina Mukoko case.
• It is the duty of the state to provide equal protection to all citizens before the law. In cases where citizen security rights are violated victims should get effective legal remedies and a right to seek justice and adequate reparation for any damage suffered. To promote public confidence and restore trust in the Rule of Law, those responsible for disappearance and abduction of innocent people should be brought to book and face the wrath of the law without protection or blanket of amnesty from their proponents.
• Reforming of the law enforcement agents. The uniformed forces particularly the Zimbabwe Republic Police remain highly unprofessional, assuming partisan priorities and biases in the execution of their duties in favor of members of ZANU PF party and people that are loyal to the head of state.
• Protection of the rights of immigrants.
• Protection of rights of disabled persons. Government should ensure equal representation of disabled persons by empowering them to take leading positions at all levels of governance for them to champion their own cause by virtue of their understanding of the challenges they face in their daily lives.
• Equal representation of women. Women are equal nation builders and should be accorded fair representation in all spheres of influence.
• Equal access to the distribution of National resources. A lot of concerns have been raised on the corruption and politically motivated discrimination surrounding the distribution of land following the chaotic land invasions. Government needs to ensure that every citizen benefits from the distribution of land regardless of gender or political affiliation for the benefit of the nation as a whole.
• Freedom of expression and association. The continued existence of draconian legislation like POSA and AIPPA is a gangrene that needs to be plucked out from the society.
• Equal employment opportunities and career open to talent in public service. Every Zimbabwean, regardless of political identity, with the necessary required expertise and qualifications has a right to serve in the government for the betterment of the nation. We say no to nepotism.
• Public office holders in a democratic society, whether elected or appointed, from the head of state to the local council members should make a public commitment to the observarance of human rights.

Visit the ROHR fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP