Press Statement on the Occasion of International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2014.
On the ocasion of United Nations International Human Rights Day, the Movement for Democratic Change strongly identifies with the aspirations of Zimbabweans for a society that respects and protects the rights of all.
The day is in recognition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Human Rights 365’, meaning that every day is a human rights day when all people deserve to enjoy the full range of human rights.
The day is marked this year when Zimbabweans are crying out for the full implementation of all the human rights provisions of the new constitution. It is quite disturbing that more than a year and a half after the new constitution was approved through referendum; many political, economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in it are still denied the majority of the people.
The government continues to wilfully violate these rights and to abuse state security apparatus to
suppress all forms of protest or demonstrations. Zimbabweans suffer from rampant unemployment caused by poor state policies that are not friendly to business and economic development. The nation suffers from poor service delivery, characterized by shortages of basics like electricity and water. There is widespread government corruption and a serious crisis of expectations as people fail to access important documents like birth certificates and passports from the national registry unless they pay bribes.
As the legitimate aspirations of the people are trampled upon by the people in government, we note a frightening increase in state-sponsored violence, police brutality and abuse of the criminal justice system to silence dissenting voices. In particular, we are alarmed by cases of torture, harassment and threats against citizens making legitimate demands. We would like to re-assert our commitment to the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and the right of all citizens to own property. We call upon the government to act forthwith to restrain it’s officials from violating the rights of the
people.
Finally, we demand that the Zimbabwean government fulfils all its obligations under international law to protect human rights. We also call upon the people to remain resolute until all their rights are
fully realised. Freedom will certainly come if we remain focussed and united.
Thank you.
Issued by Honourable Senator Lilian Timveos, Shadow Minister and MDC-T Spokesperson for Home Affairs.
E-mail: lilimikoro@gmail.com
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