Dignity Digest Volume 1, Issue 1, October-December 2014 – Zimbabwe

introduce

The Zimbabwean Constitution deserves praise for incorporating socio-economic rights into the Declaration of Rights. Socio-economic rights are just as important as civil and political rights as they are fundamental standards without which people cannot live in dignity. Socio-economic and cultural rights are therefore just as important as civil and political rights. The enjoyment of all human rights is inter-related and therefore civil, political and SER issues complement each other as integral to basic human dignity. The importance of economic, social and cultural rights cannot be overstated. Poverty and exclusion are at the root of many of the security threats we continue to face at home and abroad and therefore can jeopardize the promotion and protection of all human rights.

The realization, protection and respect of these rights by any State reflects the State’s commitment to its citizens, especially to the poor and marginalized communities. Human rights are inherently indivisible, inalienable and interdependent, so there is a close link between socio-economic rights and civil and political rights. For example, a socio-cultural analysis conducted during the development of the ZPP Strategic Plan 2014-2018 showed that the economic downturn has exacerbated social conflicts in the country, increased cases of sexual abuse, and increased vulnerability of youth, women and girls.

Since its inception, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has worked to achieve lasting peace in Zimbabwe by monitoring and documenting violations of civil and political rights. Recognition of the intersectionality of these rights led ZPP to make a strategic decision to expand the scope of human rights monitoring from civil and political rights to socio-economic rights. ZPP also recognises and reaffirms that the state has an obligation to respect, fulfil and honour socio-economic rights. This recognition has led ZPP to monitor violations of socio-economic rights to ensure respect for the human rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights (also known as the Declaration of Rights).

In this context, ZPP has been conducting a pilot project in Masvingo and Matebeleland North provinces since October 2014 to monitor violations of socio-economic rights. The socio-economic rights examined include: the right to adequate food, the right to water, the right to education and the right to health care. This report summarizes the findings of the first quarter of the project (October to December 2014).