11 December 2008
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has invited human rights organisations to work with the Ministry of Justice to formulate the Human Rights Act to strengthen human rights enjoyment in Zambia.
Mr Kunda said the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and other civil society organisations should work with the Government to make proposals that would lead to the enactment of the Human Rights Act.
Mr Kunda said at a symposium held in commemoration of Human Rights Day and 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at Alliance Francaise in Lusaka yesterday that the new legislation would help address some contentious issues relating to human rights.
He said the human rights Act had proved to be worthwhile in Lesotho and Kenya.
Mr Kunda said as the country tried to realise the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and various international treaties, it was important to note the global financial crisis and the capacity to undermine some of the goals set to enhance human rights.
"The global financial crisis can have an impact and hinder the enjoyments of these fundamental rights. Some people may lose jobs and the global warming is causing floods in certain areas, thereby, creating food insecurity," he said.
Mr Kunda said the factors leading to the global financial crisis were not as a result of bad policies.
He said the Zambian Government had come up with various interventions to mitigate the situation.
"We must work together as Zambians and we will overcome this problem and reduce poverty," he said.
Mr Kunda also said the Government guarded the fundamental freedoms and rights of its citizens jealously.
He added that the Government respected the independence of the judiciary, the HRC and the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Mr Kunda said the Government had also allowed the establishment of various non-governmental organisations, which promoted and defended the rights and freedoms of many vulnerable individuals in Zambia.
He said the stress on economic infrastructure and human resource development in the Fifth National Development was a clear target at job creation in order to allow many people enjoy the right to decent employment.
United Nations Development Programme resident coordinator, Macleod Nyirongo said there were considerable challenges and obstacles in protecting and promoting human rights.
Mr Nyirongo said the food emergency and global financial crisis were serious obstacles in protecting and promoting human rights.
He said the United Nations system would continue promoting rights-based development as a way of expanding the opportunities for the realisation of human rights.
HRC chairperson, Pixie Yangailo said the denial of inalienable human rights was a denial of a life free from fear and want for those discriminated against.
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