Human rights situation improves-Swedish Ambassador to Zambia

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 Ambassador to Zambia Johan Hallenborg has observed that several human rights in Zambia such as Media Freedom, right to Education and the right to Health have improved.

Mr. Hallenborg has therefore called on government not to delay in making further reforms such as the Public Order Act to better protect human rights saying these are critical issues.

Speaking when he officiated at the commemoration of international Human Rights Day in Chawama, and to mark the end of the 16 days of activism on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, under the theme, “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”, Mr. Hallenborg has reiterated his country's commitment to continue supporting and working with Zambia to improve the human rights situation.

“Let me emphasize that we all have the same rights. Rights that the world agreed on this day 74 years ago. These rights cannot be taken away from us. But we need to work together, civil society and government, to realize them, to make them real”, he said.

And Mr. Hallenborg has lamented that violence against women is also a violation of human rights and much more needs to be done to stop violence against women in two countries.

“One very important aspect to stop violence against women is to engage men in the work, we need to find role models, men that speak up against abuse and violence of women and are prepared to tell other men that is wrong”, He said.

The Swedish Ambassador to Zambia further adds that those who stand up for human rights and those who defend them are often met with hostility.

Mr. Hallenborg has further noted the need to pay much more attention to protection of human right defenders.

“Let's remember that every individual is entitled to rights irrespective of race, colour, religion, sex, Language or status. And even if you belong to a minority group, you have the same rights as everyone else. And the list of human rights is long for example, the right to life, the right not to be tortured, the rights to think and speak freely and the right not to be discriminated’ among others, Mr. Hallenborg added.


And Chawama Ward 3 Councilor Ponsilio Phiri is worried that cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country have doubled over the past years.

Mr. Phiri says government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to making sure that these challenges are clearly addressed as well as continued support with the fight against Gender Based Violence and strengthening the human rights comprehensive Vision on the road to a just and sustainable development.

And speaking at the same event, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction Executive Director Faides Temba-Temba has urged women in the country to report gender-based violence (GBV).

Diakonia a faith-based Swedish development organization through the representative in Zambia Nkula Edward Goma has reaffirmed the importance of human rights in rebuilding Zambia saying it is a duty of every human being to keep in check of the fundamental rights and stand against any form of suppress.

The Commemoration Day in Chawama was organised by the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) in partnership with the Swedish Government.


ENDS////



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