HARARE The European Union says it is encouraged by moves by Zimbabwe to set up a human rights commission but called for greater effort to create a conducive environment to protect individuals and organisations fighting for rights of the oppressed.
In a message to mark International Human Rights Day last Friday, the EU urged Zimbabwe to ensure that rights of all people are respected, regardless of their political affiliation. The EU is encouraged that the inclusive Government is setting up a Human Rights Commission, whose mandate is to ensure the respect of human rights for all Zimbabweans regardless of their political
affiliation, the bloc said in a statement.
It acknowledged the bravery of human rights defenders working in difficult situations around the world and encouraged them to continue doing their sterling work in the quest for a better society for all. International Human Rights Day is commemorated on December 10 every year. Observance of the day began in 1948 following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Human rights abuses by President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party are one of the issues at the centre of a dispute between Harare and Brussels. The EU has withheld crucial budgetary support to Zimbabwe on the grounds that Mugabe has not done enough to stop rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by his supporters. The Zimbabwean strongman has, in turn, accused the EU of punishing him for taking farmland from white farmers under a ontroversial land reform programme he started in 2000.
Post published in: News