By Staff Writer
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has slammed the country’s rising political intolerance on the back of calls for citizens to ingrain the culture of respect for human rights.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans have lost their lives amid violence each election cycle. In 2008, over 200 Zimbabweans were reported dead in political clashes that pitted the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, with almost no arrests related to the killings.
A decade later, after the overthrow of late former president Robert Mugabe in a military coup, six civilians were shot and killed on 1 August 2018 soon after elections as demonstrators demanded the release of the presidential election results.
Just recently, one Tapfumaneyi Masaya of Mabvuku was found dead in yet another latest case of suspected politically motivated violence.
In his remarks to mark the International Day for Human Rights Commemorations, ZHRC chairman Doctor Evalisto Mugwadi said despite the progress Zimbabwe has made on the rights arena, more still needs to be done on the political front.
“In spite of this progress, much still remains to be done to improve the human rights situation in the country and to ensure that a culture of human rights becomes ingrained in our society.
“In particular, the Commission notes that polarisation and intolerance of divergent political views still persist in our country characterized by incidents of violence as the country is holding by – elections a few months after the 23rd -24th of August 2023 general elections,” he said.
Mugwadi said the government also needs to do more to curb impunity and corruption and alignment of some pieces of legislation impacting on human rights including the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Act to the Constitution remains outstanding.
He said the theme for this year’s IHRD commemorations running since 2022 to mark the yearlong celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the UDHR is Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.
“Human rights values are the very essence of our shared humanity. The theme therefore reminds us that every person, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or social status, possesses inherent rights that must be respected, protected and fulfilled.
“The right of access to justice provided for under section 69 of the Constitution as part of the broader framework of the right to fair hearing or trial, recognises the courts as the custodians of the Constitution and guardians of remedies for the protection and enforcement of human rights,” he added.
