Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) National Director Okay Machisa says Civil Society is demanding rights to easy accessibility of their cash, nonpartisan distribution of food relief and protection against state security brutality during demonstrations.
He said this during the 2016 International Human Rights Day commemorations held at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru on Saturday led by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) under the theme ‘Stand up for someone’s rights today’.
Dignitaries present included Guest of Honour Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of State and Provincial Affairs for the Midlands Jason Machaya, ZHRC Chairperson Commissioner Elasto Mugwadi, United Nations Development Programme representatives amongst others.
Machisa said the Civil Society had put together five basic demands that need to be addressed by the authorities.
“I have been sent on behalf of the Civil Society to ask for five things in connection with our theme today, first I have been sent to ask for our monies in the banks and you know what that means.
“I was also sent to ask for food, people are hungry regardless of which church one comes from.
“The third demand is that when we are doing our peaceful demonstrations as stipulated in the constitution we should not be bashed by the police,” Machisa said.
“The fourth demand I have been sent to put across is that you give us a chance to enjoy the privileges offered by the constitution, including allowing those in the diaspora to vote.
“And the last is that the money allocated to the ZHRC in the national budget is too small you need to increase that amount by more than ten times,” he said.
The event was well attended despite threats of rain, entertainment was provided by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services brass band, Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (IYASA), a local dance outfit Explossive Massive and Mid Music.
