ZHR Commission calls for full implementation of constitution and fight against corruption
By Delicious Mathuthu
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has urged the Zimbabwean Government to fully and effectively implement the country’s Constitution and step up its fight against corruption, Kwedu News reveals.
In its Independence Day statement, the Commission says such measures will ensure Zimbabwean citizens enjoy their rights brought about by independence.
Zimbabwe officially attained its independence on the 18th of April 1980 governed under the negotiated Lancaster Constitution for 33 years before the new people driven 2013 Constitution.
ZHRC says for Zimbabweans to enjoy these rights, the constitution must be effectively administered.
“One of the most significant milestones for the Republic of Zimbabwe was the development and adoption of the new people-driven Constitution on the 22nd of May 2013.
“The 2013 Constitution became the supreme law of the land. It established an expanded and elaborate Declaration of Rights under Chapter 4 of the Constitution, which protects the fundamental rights of everyone in Zimbabwe.
“The Declaration of Rights guarantees both Civil and Political Rights as well as Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights,” the Commission says.
“Further, the Declaration of Rights elaborates and strengthens the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and veterans of the liberation struggle.
“…In order to ensure the continued and increased enjoyment of rights the Commission urges the Government of Zimbabwe to prioritise the full and effective implementation of the Constitution. It is particularly important to ensure the full participation and enjoyment of human rights and freedoms by the special and vulnerable groups mentioned above.
“It is important that every Zimbabwean fully enjoys their rights and freedoms,” the Commission says.
As the Zimbabwean Parliament continues to fight for the alignment of the country’s laws to the Constitution, some critical laws are yet to be aligned.
With corruption being an anti-progress cancer that undermines rights of citizens and development of the country, the Commission says measures to fight it should be intensified.
“There is need for increased efforts and action against corruption, a negative phenomenon that has resulted in the unfortunate leakage of national resources leading to the undermining of the fundamental rights of citizens and reduced progress in development,” the Commission said.
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD), a Nongovernmental Organisation fighting for economic justice, is on record citing corruption as one of the key causes of Zimbabwe’s current socio-economic crisis which leaves the most vulnerable groups in society exposed.
“Zimbabwe’s socio-economic crisis characterised by chronic poor governance, endemic corruption and mismanagement of public funds is deepening…. The epidemic has exerted pressure on the already underfunded health and social welfare budgets compromising the realization and enjoyment of the constitutionally guaranteed social and economic rights of citizens, particularly, the right to healthcare, education, water and sanitation, more so for vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities and the
elderly,” ZIMCODD says.
On its Independence Day press statement ZIMCODD adds that corruption undermines economic development and fuels inequality.
“Free and independent Zimbabwe should be rid of all forms of resource leakages and
wastages on all fronts. Corruption undermines all efforts and progress made in economic development and the gains of independence. It fuels inequality and poverty,” says the organisation.
On poor governance, ZHRC urges all government structures to stick to their prescribed Constitutional mandates and ensure efficient service delivery.
“All structures of government including central government and local authorities must adhere to principles of good governance and public administration to ensure effective and efficient service delivery as envisaged under Chapter 9 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“In addition, all public officials must ensure that all citizens enjoy the right to administrative justice as enshrined in Section 68 of the Constitution.
“Administrative conduct in public offices must be lawful, prompt, efficient, reasonable, and fair,” says the Commission.
Zimbabwe is celebrating 44 years of independence this year under the theme ‘Zim@44: Unity and Peace Towards a
Achieving Vision 2030′.
This, as ZHRC says, is a time to reflect on the development of Zimbabwe as a nation-state born out of the liberation struggle, a fight for human rights and freedoms, self-determination, sovereignty and human dignity.
