Civil Society Organisations on Saturday demanded the opening up of space that allow citizens to speak out on critical issues.
By Moses Chibaya
While the Zimbabwe constitution guarantees freedom of association and freedom of speech, government has always shun space that allow citizens to speak up freely.
Commemorating the Global Day of Citizen Action in a joint statement the Election Resources Centre (ERC) and Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) said the commemoration comes on a “backdrop of a deliberate attempt by state actors to close democratic spaces in communities.”
Tawanda Chimhini, ERC director, who has also championed human rights and democracy for the past decade bewailed the sudden increase of state harassment and intimidation of citizens.
“The continued harassment and intimidation of citizens involved in democratic processes and the escalating call for Memorandum of Understandings between civil society and District Administrators across the country is a clear attempt to clampdown on civic space,” Chimhini said.
Chimhini added: “Civic space exists when individuals and organisations have the freedom to speak out, organise and take action. Civic space is under threat in many parts of the world including Zimbabwe.”
Renowned Human Rights defender and ZimRights director, Okay Machisa, said the day offers an opportunity to make awareness and remind communities to take action.
Renowned Human Rights defender and ZimRights director,Okay Machisa, said the Global Day of Citizen Action presents an opportunity to citizens to take action and speak against a repressive government in line with Chapter 4 (Section 58,59 and 61) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“It is also an opportunity to raise awareness and remind communities to take action and speak out against a repressive government in line with Chapter 4 (Section 58, 59 and 61) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which recognises freedoms of assembly, association, speech and the freedom to demonstrate and petition, among other freedoms.”
Machisa added: “By participating in this global event, ERC and ZimRights are affirming the importance of human rights and creating awareness locally about the importance of having the right to speak out, organise and take action against challenges that civics face in claiming their space.”
The two organisations said they take the opportunity to provide rural communities with an opportunity to freely express themselves and speak up against all forms of oppression and suppression on national radio.
The Global Day of Citizen Action is celebrated annually on the 14th of May.
In 2014, the first Global Day of Citizen Action (GDCA) drew 20,000 participants through 48 events, spanning 26 countries. In 2015, participation leapt to 30,000 people, with 116 events in 56 countries.
Currently the two partners are implementing projects that seek to engage citizens on Democracy, Transparency, Accountability and Participation across Zimbabwe.
