SADC CSO consortium want UN General Assembly Resolutions upheld
A Consortium of 18 Civil Society Organizations in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) have called on SADC heads of state to end the impunity, protect Human Rights Declarations and uphold and localize the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions.
Alliance for Community Action Zambia Executive Director Laura Miti, has expressed concern that despite some countries which include Zambia, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo signing and ratifying the declaration on the rights and responsibility of individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to promote and protect Universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms which obligates them to protect, promote and implement all human rights among others, they have systematically breached human rights with impunity.
Laura Miti
Ms. Miti has also asked governments in the region to honor the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Resolutions on the protection of human rights.
She says Human Rights defenders from the countries represented are concerned that the government have deliberately and repeatedly applied or passed repressive laws and policies that infringe on the realization and enjoyment of freedom of expression, association, and assembly.
Ms. Mitii has told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka that Public Order Laws, NGO laws, regulation of Journalism and online spaces are being used as legal or policy measures that SADC countries are using to restrict and decline civic space.
Ms. Miti says this is in conflict with article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human rights which provides for the right to free speech and expression including online while article 20 grants peaceful assembly and association rights.