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Steadfast in protest 2010 annual report launched
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association (ZimRights)
November 02, 2010
Observatory
for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders' Annual Report
2010, "Steadfast in Protest" was launched today, 02
November, at the ZimRights offices.
ZimRights launched
the OBS reports on behalf of the International Federation of Human
Rights Defenders (FIDH) and the World Organisation against Torture
(OMCT). The occasion was graced by representatives from different
human rights organisations and journalists.
National
Association for Non-Governmental Organisations CEO, Cephas Zinhumwe,
gave the opening remarks before handing over to the ZimRights National
Director, Okay Machisa. In his press statement Machisa gave a brief
background of the 12 year-old OBS and explained the increasing repression
rights defenders on all continents are facing especially in connection
to political power and the ballot system.
The National
Director cited the challenge of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe
as an example of what other defenders in undemocratic nations are
facing. There is much risk in promoting the exchange of ideas, pluralism,
protection of fundamental freedoms and the democratic ideal, in
the country at the moment. Despite the formation of the Zimbabwean
Government of National Unity (GNU) in February 2009, there was little
progress during the year in instituting any of the promised human
rights reforms as stated in Article 18 of the GPA,
in demonstrating respect for the rule of law as envisaged in Article
11 of the GPA and in charting a new political direction for the
country.
To date not
much has been done about the April to June 2008
political violence and perpetrators continue to live in their
communities' scot-free. With the ongoing constitution making
process and presidential elections expected around the corner, human
rights defenders in the country are faced with a mammoth task as
the prevailing environment is showing signs of high risk of violence
erupting triggering gross human rights violations if elections take
place.
ZimRights will
however continue to support human rights defenders at occasions
like this one and also embark on other human rights awareness programmes
to ensure that when people are participating in the referendum,
presidential elections and other national events, they do so with
the objective of upholding and defending rights, sovereignty, peace
and democracy.
Visit the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Association (ZimRights) fact
sheet
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