CHINHOYI — The government has been urged to stop forced evictions as they exacerbate poverty levels among the poor. OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of commemorations to mark International Human Rights Day in Chinhoyi on Monday, Amnesty International (AI) executive director Cousin Zilala said research showed that forced evictions by government had worsened poverty among urban dwellers.
Zilala said AI was not totally against evictions where people had built on undesignated land, but urged wide consultations with the affected families.
He said the government should concede that its “feigned” response to the inhuman demolitions of illegal houses under Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle did not benefit individuals affected by Operation Murambatsvina, but a few senior civil servants.
International Human Rights Day is a United Nations proclamation and is marked on December 10 every year across the world. This year’s commemorations were held under the theme “Housing Is A Human Right”. Musicians Progress Chipfumo and Tryson Chimbetu provided entertainment to the multitudes of people that turned up for the commemorations at the Chinhoyi event.
