THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES IN ZIMBABWE



Patrick Chinamasa Zimbabwe Justice and Legal Minister

Written by Chinofunga Ndoga 

 The Zimbabwean Justice and Legal Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, presented a sanitised and fraudulent human rights report before the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland on 10 October 2011. His report was conveniently silent on human liberty yet it is fundamental and decisive for the settlement of outstanding political differences in the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe.

 In the preamble to the UN Charter the keynote is set when it declares “We the people of the UN determined…to affirm faith in the fundamental human rights in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and…to promote social progress and better standards of mankind are dependent on mutual respect for the rights and freedoms of all”

Freedoms are not abstract ideals but tools with which people create a way of life, a way of life in which they can enjoy freedom.  Human rights exist to the degree that they are respected by people in relations to each other and by governments in relations with their citizens. It is astonishing as to why Mr Chinamasa’s report did not seek to reaffirm these universal human rights. Instead it sought to denigrate efforts being made by various Human Rights and civic organisations as well as individuals raising awareness and bringing to the fore the transgressions of ZANU PF

 He did not mention why the Zimbabwean government is yet to ratify and abide all outstanding human rights treaties and optional Protocols such as;

·         UN Convention against Torture, Cruel or Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

·         International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearances.

·         Convention against the Elimination of forms of Discrimination against Women.

·         International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

·         International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

·         The convention on the Rights of the Child

It is  as laughable and scandalous as it is insulting to the intelligence of the Zimbabwean people in particular and that of the world that Chinamasa had the temerity to blame the state -sponsored human rights abuses in Zimbabwe on targeted travel bans on a few members of the ZANU PF cabal. By throwing this sand in the air in a bid to hoodwink the world, Chinamasa made a fool of dear self and proved to the world that ZANU PF is yet to embrace the true ideals of democracy. Perhaps he should have told the world how the targeted sanctions led to the death of Talent Mabika, Learnmore Jongwe, Tonderai Ndira, Better Chikururuma, Godfrey Kanzani, Rwisai Nyikaura and thousands more whose names are far too many to mention whose bodies lie haplessly in disused mine shafts, Wenimbe and Kariba dams, football grounds, mass graves everywhere and anywhere including Chibondo Gold mine in Mt Darwin. Again Chinamasa may want to let the world know what happened to the ZBC live broadcast of the exhumations. Is it the targeted sanctions that led to human rights abuses at Chiadzwa diamonds field? Isn’t it that your callous government unleashed the mighty of the military army on defenceless people? Who rendered families homeless during Operation Murambatsvina? Mr Chinamasa look yourself in the mirror and tell the world who led to the unjust imprisonment of MDC MP Roy Bennet. Is it not ZANU PF government that ordered the land reform chaos and led to untold suffering of over 700 000 farm owners, their workers and families? Who is with impunity flagrantly disregarding property rights in Bulawayo and invading properties owned by Indians, Italians and Europeans?

One of the purposes of the UN is declared in Article 1 to be….” To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language and religion, conscience , fair trial..

Basic human rights are simple and easily understood: freedom of speech and a free press; freedom of religion and worship; freedom of assembly ,movement and the right of petition; the right of men to be secure in their homes and from unreasonable search and seizure and from arbitrary arrest and punishment. It is obvious these freedoms are not synonymous with the despotic nature of the Mugabe regime.

Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF political part are adamant on retaining draconian acts like AIPPA, POSA and Criminal Evidence and Procedures promulgated and are relied upon by the Zimbabwean partisan justice system to imprison opposition supporters and silence voices of dissent. ZANU PF is also unrelenting on the Human Rights Commission Bill. Thirty of the one hundred and nine MDC MPs have been arrested and jailed since 2008.At least 500 MDC supporters were murdered at the height of political violence in2008. Identified perpetrators like Kitsiyatota, Lameck Mwale and Chipangano group still roam the streets scot free. Patterns of brutality, commandos’ attitudes and totalitarianism have soiled the body politic in Zimbabwe since her independence from British rule in 1980. Armed forces have committed extra-judicial killings, torture, abductions, rape and arbitrary arrest of opposition party supporters. Joshua Nkomo, Dumiso Dabengwa, Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Morgan Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti and Roy Bennet all opposition party leaders have faced fabricated treason charges. Leaders of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise [WOZA] pressure group Jane Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are constantly harassed, intimidated, arrested and imprisoned on flimsy charges. Trade Unionist, student leaders, civic organisation leaders, religious leaders, human rights lawyers, elected councillors and village heads, journalist are not spared the wrath of the Mugabe regime’s brutality.

Critical journalism is only allowed in Zimbabwe if it destroys the political opponents and suppresses voices of dissent in order to preserve, promote and cement the status quo and instruments of oppression. The will of the people is second to decrees promulgated by the few at the top. Such practice has no purchase in the democratic world and should be condemned wherever its ugly head rears.

It is often said that you can fool some people some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF’s hegemony on power will continue to be challenged until it disintegrates. The end is nigh!

People who continue to be denied the respect to which they are entitled as human beings will not acquiesce forever in such denial. The winds of change will soon blow!


http://www.hatnews.org/2011/10/20/the-struggle-for-human-right-continues-in-zimbabwe/