| The Citizens’ Manifesto joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Human Rights Day in celebration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. We hold firm that Human Rights are a sacrosanct to humanity and thus should be upheld, promoted and respected by everyone. The 2020 international theme is ‘Recover better – Stand Up for Human Rights.’ The theme appropriately advocates for the prioritisation of human rights in efforts to recover from the COVID 19 global pandemic. This day comes at a time when COVID 19 has changed our way of living in unprecedented ways. Economies have been retarded causing acute suffering among vulnerable people in the absence of adequate social safety nets. Public health response measures including lockdowns and the generally securitized responses to the pandemic have been used as justifications to close the democratic space and perpetrate abuses thereby turning a health crisis to a human rights crisis. Notable human right have been undermined as part of combating COVID-19 and the government of Zimbabwe has weaponized and securitized COVID-19 measures, including curtailing of freedoms of movement and assembly, the right to personal security and the right to life. The lockdown period saw the rise in arbitrary arrests and abductions. We denounce such acts in the strongest terms and call on government of Zimbabwe to foster respect for human rights in keeping with the country’s constitution. Citizens’ Manifesto denounces the current demolition of homes being carried out by the City of Harare and the Ministry of Local Government, which have left families stranded in the midst of the rain season. This is an egregious violation to the right to shelter. Notably, the International Human Rights Day coincides with the last day of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violations that has created an opportunity for gender justice activist across the globe to speak out and expose all forms of Gender Based Violations. Indeed, women’s rights are human rights and thus they are binding to all. As such, we particularly urge governments to pay attention to recognizing and lessening the burden of the unpaid care work on women. Recommendations Government of Zimbabwe; 1. We recommend that the government of Zimbabwe take reasonable action to promote and respect human rights in line with the Constitution’s Chapter 4, Declaration of Rights. 2. To stop impunity in human rights violations committed by state institutions and bring culprits to account.. 3. To put an immediate end to abductions and harassment of civic leaders and opposition leaders working to uphold human rights and hold perpetrators accountable. Civil Society; 4. Human rights awareness programs must continue to raise consciousness among citizens, state and non-state actors. 5. CSOs must play a critical role in defending human rights and promoting constitutionalism. International Community; 6. The international community must lead by example in upholding human rights principles in all spheres of life and give solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe in the fight against human rights violations. |
Citizens’ Manifesto Statement on the International Human Rights Day
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