Uphold citizens’ rights, govt urged

Source: Uphold citizens’ rights, govt urged – NewsDay Zimbabwe April 19, 2016

HUMAN rights and civil society groups yesterday bemoaned the escalation of political violence, unemployment and repressive laws 36 years into independence.

by VENERANDA LANGA

In messages to mark Independence Day, the groups called on the government to strictly observe the rule of law and uphold citizens’ rights.

Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said Zimbabweans, for 36 years, had not enjoyed the gains of the liberation struggle due to impoverishment of the masses, shrinking democratic space, haphazard land distribution, unequal distribution of national resources, a biased empowerment business model, and political violence, among other issues.

“Political violence continues to rear its ugly head across the country leaving people injured, maimed, killed, as well as harassed and intimidated individuals,” ZPP said in a statement.

“There are repressive laws including the Public Order and Security Act, Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act, and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, among others. Abductions occur every now and then, depriving victimised citizens of their liberties and at times their lives, as well as depriving families of their loved ones.”

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) said: “The government continues to disenfranchise millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, hospitals and prisons, a violation of the right to vote which is guaranteed in the Constitution.

“Our fallen heroes would turn in their graves if they were to realise that 36 years after Zimbabwe attaining independence, there are still squabbles over electoral reforms, in particular, voter registration and the voters’ roll, and independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.”