Zimpapers Logo

Chido Chikuni Correspondent
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. These rights include right to education, shelter, food, freedom of expression and movement among others.

It is disgraceful that some human rights and civil society groups have a propensity of accusing Government of violating human rights. Since independence, Government has been working flat out to remove all repressive laws that were enacted in favour of former colonialists.

This was done as a way of empowering the black majority at the expense of the few white minorities who were benefiting from our own resources.

Any government that protects human rights is accountable to its citizen’s security. The Zimbabwean Government is one of them. Protection of citizens’ rights strengthens international peace and security, thereby enjoying a shared prosperity with other stable democratic countries around the world.

However, it is disheartening to note that an outfit calling itself Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has been asserting that there is shrinking democracy in Zimbabwe. Truth be said, this is untrue. Democracy prevails in Zimbabwe. Before the nation attained its independence, some streets like First Street in Harare, were no-go areas for black people. Presently, Zimbabweans have freedom of movement. Any person can move from one point to the other freely.

The Zimbabwean Government maintains the rights of citizens. The recent demonstration by the MDC-T proves that there is indeed democracy in Zimbabwe. Opposition parties are free to hold either public rallies or demonstrations without any interference. However, these demonstrations are at times prohibited as they end up in violence which causes damage to infrastructure.

Zimbabwe is a peace-loving country. Hence, the laws that were enacted by Government were passed as a way of maintaining the existing peace within the country. For instance, the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) was enacted as a measure of dealing with those that are obsessed with public violence. Violent extremists should not be given the space to meddle with the citizens’ right of association.

It is known that ZPP is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) claiming and boasting to be a champion of human rights and watchdog of citizens’ rights while in actual fact it’s singing for its supper. There is indeed nothing to monitor here as Government is always supporting and keeping the rights of its citizens. Unfortunately, ZPP wants to be seen to be doing something by their funders hence foolishly condemning Government of failing to uphold citizens‘ rights.

Strong nations will always value the rights of their citizens. In actual fact, they support and empower their citizens rather than blocking their way. This is typical with the Zimbabwean Government which is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Following that, one cannot deny that the Government considers the interests of the people and values their rights.

After Government realised that its people were suffering in their own land, it decided to empower them through the land reform programme. The launch of the land redistribution programme was done as a way of increasing food production through empowering the black majority populace. There wasn’t any chaos in land distribution as ZPP might want us to believe. Land was fairly distributed o that that most Zimbabweans benefited from the programme.

Also, ZPP wrongly believes that Government is accountable for the abductions of people. Government is actually concerned and worried about reports of missing people. People are being kidnapped now and then. That is why the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has a section which deals with missing persons.

As stipulated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, general elections are held after every five years. All Zimbabwean citizens who qualify to vote are given the opportunity to exercise their right of electing a leader of their choice through the ballot box.

Zimbabwe is one of the countries which respect the freedom of worship. Unlike in other nations where people are coerced to worship certain religions, Zimbabwe values the right to practise whatever religion one chooses.

Ever since Zimbabwe attained its independence, the Government has been valuing and maintaining these citizens’ rights.