Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was this week awarded for championing human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe, by a coalition of civil society groups.

Tsvangirai was presented with the award in Harare on Tuesday at the launch of the Peace Building and Transitional Justice initiative by civil society groups, including the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace. The groups also honoured National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman Lovemore Madhuku, as well as prominent human rights advocates Beatrice Mtetwa and Alec Muchadehama, for defending human rights and fighting for a just society.

The MDC's Women Assembly chairperson, and current co-Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone accepted Tsvangirai's award on his behalf, because he was unable to attend the ceremony. MDC Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khupe, meanwhile praised the winners for their "sterling and consistent devotion to the upholding of human rights, democracy, justice and peace in Zimbabwe."

Khupe said at the ceremony that the government had the responsibility to ensure that people's rights are respected and preserved, adding: "It is the government's duty to protect rights of all citizens."

Ironically Khupe said this as Gukurahundi artist Owen Maseko was banned from displaying his art by the Home Affairs department, a decision co-Home Affairs Minister Makone has insisted she was not part of and cannot do anything about.