. Dr Scott

By DELPHINE ZULU, JULIUS PHIRI and JAMES KUNDA –
ACTING President Guy Scott has pledged to uphold human rights in the country as it prepares to go for presidential elections next year.
Dr Scott said it was vital to observe human rights at all times but that it was more important to do so during elections in order not to breach human rights during the sensitive period.
He said Zambians were excellent at conversation but poor at attending to basic issues like human rights, especially those of children.
Dr Scott was speaking at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka yesterday during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day under the theme ‘Human Rights 365.’
“Human rights is an everyday thing but more importantly when there is an important event taking place in the country, like now I want to pledge that I will uphold human rights as the country prepares itself to go for elections,” Dr Scott said.
Human Rights Commission director, Florence Chibwesha said the day was celebrated to address issues of equality that every human being had which included the right to live with full dignity and justice.
United Nations (UN) Resident representative, Janet Rogan urged Zambians to fully exercise their rights and vote freely in the forthcoming presidential elections.
She said Zambia was a long standing example of peaceful democratic transition on the continent and noted government’s commitment to ensure a peaceful Presidential election with a conducive atmosphere for campaigns for all parties countrywide.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga said citizens should enjoy their human rights regardless of social status, ender, or political affiliation.
Dr Mulenga said this through assistant secretary Beenzu Chikuba at the Human Rights Day commemoration in Chipata and added that the Government had a duty to ensure the rights were upheld.
He explained that the Government would not suppress anyone because it domesticated laws on human rights.
Earlier, HRC regional officer-in-charge Winstone Nunkwe said the day offers an opportunity to declare the commitment to the principles and standards developed over more than six decades since the universal declaration of human rights was adopted.
In Ndola, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge called on individual members of society to partner with the Government in addressing challenges that negatively affect the enjoyment of human rights by Zambians.
Mr Musenge said there were challenges affecting the enjoyment of human rights in Zambia such as poverty, which could only be addressed with collaborative efforts by Government and citizens.