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Zim commemorates Africa Day

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ZIMBABWE commemorated Africa Day, with human rights organisations calling for observance of people’s fundamental rights to free speech, access to food, and protection from human trafficking.

ZIMBABWE commemorated Africa Day, with human rights organisations calling for observance of people’s fundamental rights to free speech, access to food, and protection from human trafficking.

BY VENERANDA LANGA zimbabwe-flag

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) said Africa had suffered a long history of slavery, terrorism, civil war and undemocratic governance.

“The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) provides a strong normative guarantee that human rights are an important component of the pan-African vision and this thrust is affirmed in the frameworks of the African Union (AU),” ZimRights said in a statement.

“However, ZimRights has continued to receive complaints, especially from rural communities, of partisan distribution of food aid and other social welfare handouts at a time the El Nino drought has caused untold harm on the livelihoods of ordinary people.”

About three million people in Zimbabwe face starvation due to the El Nino-induced drought, which ravaged most parts of the country.

“Freedoms of expression, assembly and the media remain restricted as shown in practice by the arrest of journalists and harassment of protesters in spite of a strong constitutional breakthrough made through provisions now guaranteeing such human rights.

“Zimbabweans also continue to be the victims of extra-territorial transnational human rights violations, as acutely demonstrated by the enslavement of over 200 women in Kuwait after falling victims to the human trafficking syndicates. There is no doubt that the economic desperation and heightened urge for migration caused by the lack of employment opportunities significantly contributes to the vulnerability of Zimbabweans.”

Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) said in order to fulfil Agenda 2063, which aims to achieve a peaceful and secure Africa, there should be dialogue-centred conflict prevention and resolution to promote a culture of peace and tolerance in Africa, which should also be nurtured in children through education.

“For Zimbabwe, this can only be achieved when the government swiftly sets up the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), which is a constitutional commission, with the mandate of developing mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflict and disputes and to conciliate and mediate disputes among communities, organisations, groups or individuals,” HZT said.

“Heal Zimbabwe Trust urges the government to celebrate Africa Day by putting timelines on making the NPRC functional starting with the immediate tabling of the NPRC replacement Bill before Parliament.”

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) said as Zimbabwe celebrated Africa Day, the government should treat the issue of electoral reforms, as a matter of urgency as the country heads for the 2018 elections.

“We are convinced that best election practices are critical for the development of nations, thus, Zimbabwe needs to ensure it conforms to AU acceptable standards on democratic elections,” CiZC said.

“Zimbabwe has had a history of contested elections, which have impacted negatively on economic growth, hence, we contend that transparent elections are critical for the development of the country.”