Remember the commitment
Statement on Independence Day 2024
Today, ZimRights joins the rest of the nation in commemorating 44 years of independence.
Zimbabwe’s independence, came as a result of the blood and sweat of liberation fighters and the masses, as they fought to dismantle systemic human rights violations, embodied by the colonial regime. Independence brought with it seeds of great hope for a habitable and progressive Zimbabwe, where human rights violations would be a thing of the past.
Today, 44 years later, independence day becomes another opportunity for sober reflections as we commemorate it under the theme, Unity, Peace and Development: towards vision 2030. 18 April every year immortalizes the struggle against human rights abuses – which are the major stumbling block towards real human development and sustainable nation building.
It is not a secret how Zimbabwe has been struggling with a tattered human rights record since 1980 and how the current socio-economic impasse is an unfortunate result of that. The ordinary Zimbabwean aspires to enjoy the fruit of peace, unity and development but this can only be achieved after we address the elephant in the room. Political polarisation, violence, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, corruption, unresolved conflicts and other violations to human dignity, have rendered true unity, peace and development a mirage that can only be chased but never attained.
Through it all, ZimRights is glad that last year, on April 12 2023, it launched the People’s Human Rights Manifesto – reflection of the pressing needs and expectations by the people of Zimbabwe that they want the elected officials to commit to ahead of last year’s elections. All the 5 major political parties at that time endorsed and commited to uphold each of the 10 key asks in the manifesto. Significatly, the President of Zimbabwe, HE Emmerson Mnangagwa, signed and committed to “…deliver on each of the people’s Asks specied in their manifesto to the best of my abilities”, on the 8th of August 2023 in Harare.
As we commemorate this year’s independence day, we call upon His Excellency, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the local and central government and opposition leaders to remember the commitment where they pledged to;
- Uphold and defend the integrity of the constitution of Zimbabwe
- Respect the political rights of all Zimbabweans
- Make quality healthcare services accessible to all.
- Improve access to basic amenities and services
- Provide affordable quality education for our children
- Protect and promote livelihoods
- Provide land and decent housing to citizens
- Facilitate the exercise of freedoms
- Be accountable to the people of Zimbabwe
- Practice God governance and fight Corruption
We believe wholesomely addressing these issues will unlock the real value of independence in Zimbabwe and pave way for the realisation of unity, peace and development by 2030.
ZimRights wishes the people of Zimbabwe a hopeful independence commemoration. Never ever give up on the independence promise.
Issued by ZimRights Information Department
info@zimrights.org.zw
