Solidarity Statement
17 December 2013
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY – 10 DECEMBER 2013
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Solidarity Statement on the Commemorations of
International Human Rights Day jointly organised by the Zimbabwe Human Rights
Commission and Zimbabwean civil society organisations
We the members of Zimbabwe lawyers for human rights are humbled and honoured to be
invited to celebrate the international human rights day, in partnership with the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission.
As ZLHR, we acknowledge and recognise the importance and meaning of this day. The
international human rights day is a day set aside to bring the attention ‘of the peoples of the
world’ to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of
achievement for all peoples and all nations in relation to human rights promotion and
protection. To this end all member states of the United Nations, Zimbabwe included, commit
themselves to securing the universal and effective recognition and observance of human
rights on behalf of the people in the territories under their jurisdiction.
The Human Rights day is therefore a day to take stock; a day to reflect; a day to introspect; a
day to evaluate; a day to renew collective vows. What has been done? what could have been
done? What more can be done? These are just but some of the questions to deeply reflect on
if the values and ethos captured in the Universal Declaration of human rights ( UDHR) are to
be achieved. The human rights discourse is a journey that will continue beyond today’s
celebrations. The work to give full effect to these human rights as enunciated in the UDHR,
other international human instruments that Zimbabwe has ratified and indeed the bill of rights
in our New Constitution must be continued by all of us who have an interest in the promotion
of human dignity or “ubuntu”.
The success of this process hinges upon a multi-pronged and collective approach comprising
of government agencies, the Commissions established by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the
NGO sector and other stakeholders in the human rights discourse. In this respect ZLHR is
fully committed towards cooperating with government agencies, other NGO partners and
stakeholders in achieving the common goal of human rights protection and promotion. We
stand here ready and available to support the efforts of the ZHRC and state agencies that seek
to promote and protect human rights. We remain readily available to offer technical, legal,
and moral support and even constructive criticism where necessary, as we have been doing in
the past fifteen years. This is our own small contribution towards the full realization of
human rights in Zimbabwe.
In the words of the recently departed Nelson “Madiba” Mandela, a Nobel Prize winner, a
great human rights lawyer of our time and an anti-Apartheid icon and yet a very humble
man,
“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long
way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of. For to be free is not
merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of
others.”
We can only concur.
In Conclusion we emphasize the fact that the fight for the promotion and protection of human
rights is a fight for us all. It requires love, togetherness, respect courage, selflessness and
empathy for human kind. This is the challenge that we should all take on for the good of
mankind.
With these words we take this opportunity to thank all the people who have taken their time
to be part of the commemorations. We particularly thank and congratulate the ZHRC for the
wonderful work done in organizing these commemorative celebrations and wish the
commission all the best in its work whose essence is aptly captured by the Commission’s
motto:
For Human Dignity
I thank you
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
6th Floor, Beverley Court
100 Nelson Mandela Avenue
Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone+263 4 764085/705370/708118
Email: info@zlhr.org.zw
www.zlhr.org.zw
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