Nangula Shejavali
3 December 2008
WHILE Namibians have much to celebrate in having human rights laws entrenched in national legislation, the country's women and children still have a long way to go in enjoying their rights.
Speaking at a joint ceremony by the United Nations, European Union and Legal Assistance Centre marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Minister of Justice Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana said while major strides have been made in securing the basic human rights of Namibians, the country continues to be plagued by gender-based violence.
"Violence against women and children is the most shameful human rights violation and those who commit such crimes should be ashamed of themselves and must not be allowed to roam our streets without tasting the wrath of the law," she said.
Iivula-Ithana described human rights as "the fundamental basis of life, liberty and security", adding that "Namibia is a free country whose citizens enjoy a high degree of political rights and civil liberties compared to other countries in the region and the world".
She said Namibia has ratified a number of UN Human Rights instruments aimed at protecting the rights of citizens.
Namibia has incorporated these instruments into its national laws, many of which touch on protecting the rights of women and children.
In this regard, Iivula-Ithana highlighted the Married Person's Equality Act of 1996 which abolished the common-law position that the husband is the head of the family or household, and gave either spouse the right to act as head of household, or to act jointly as partners.
She said Government is preparing an amendment to the act that will outlaw polygamous marriages, both in civil and customary marriages.
Iivula-Ithana also pointed to the Combating of Domestic Violence Act of 2003, which makes provision for a protection order and other means of protecting vulnerable family members from violent spouses, partners and guardians.
Namibia is one of only three African countries and one of 46 countries worldwide to have enacted legislation against domestic violence.
Other laws have allowed Namibia to make strides in protecting the human rights of its vulnerable citizens, particularly children, against sexual exploitation, molestation, rape and discrimination.
December 10 1948 marked the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly, and the day is now celebrated as International Human Rights Day, which is also the Day of the Namibian Woman.
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