Press Release Dated Thursday 10th December 2020 in Celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day and International Human Rights Day

Linda Kasonde

Press Release Dated Thursday 10th December 2020 in Celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day and International Human Rights Day

By Chapter One Foundation

PROMOTING and protecting the human rights and freedoms contained in the Constitution is at the heart of Chapter One Foundation’s mission to encourage civic participation in governance. We recognize that corruption is a hindrance to the holistic enjoyment of human rights and freedoms. The abuse of authority or power undermines the principle that everyone is equal before the law and defeats socio-economic development. Therefore, the observance of Human Rights Day and World Anti-Corruption Day should be important to any nation aspiring to the highest levels of integrity and equity.

Human Rights Day falls annually on the 10th December to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a pivotal and monumental occasion in the fight towards achieving the universal and equal protection of human rights. This year’s theme is “Recover Better: Stand up for human rights”. It underscores the need for human rights to be at the centre of rebuilding nations the post the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme emphasises the need to end discrimination, address inequalities, encourage participation and solidarity, and to promote sustainable development as effective State and citizen responses to the pandemic.

In Zambia, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed several human rights challenges faced by Zambians. These include inadequate access to healthcare, the poor social welfare system and the limits to the enjoyment of free speech and freedom of assembly. These challenges coupled with the persistent corruption in the country will have long-term detrimental effects on Zambia’s social and economic development. Indeed, in many countries including Zambia, we have seen corruption with respect to the abuse of resources meant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated annually on 9th of December 2020 following the adoption of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on Saturday 31 October 2020. Zambia has signed and ratified the Convention Against Corruption as well as enacted the Anti-Corruption Act No 3 of 2012. Despite this, corruption persists and is progressively worsening. There is therefore need for more deliberate action to prosecute offenders of corruption.

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day theme is “Recover with Integrity.” The theme aims to underscore the fact that if pandemic recovery efforts are to be effective, there must be deliberate strides towards addressing the problem of corruption. The poor financial transparency and biased testing structures witnessed by Zambians during the pandemic is a reflection of the need for better management and increased scrutiny of public procurement processes.

As we observe International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Days respectively, we urge the government to uphold the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and uphold the rights enshrined therein as well the constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms in Zambia’s Bill of Rights. We urge the government to desist from wanton abrogation of human rights and human rights standards and to allow for the enjoyment of human rights without discrimination based on ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, and status. We further urge the State and State actors to denounce all forms of corruption, leading by example with integrity and transparency in all public and private actions.

Chapter One Foundation calls on the public to exercise their right to report corrupt practices wherever they occur. The Anti-Corruption Act empowers any person who has reason to believe that corrupt practices have occurred to report the offenders to the Anti-Corruption Commission and prompt an investigation into such activities. Furthermore, we urge the public to answer the call to stand up for their human rights and the rights of their fellow citizens. Standing up for human rights is not the exclusive mandate of non-governmental organisations or civil society organisations. Ordinary citizens can demand that human rights be respected and upheld by reporting human rights abuses and/or speaking out against them. In order to do so, members of the public must first acquaint themselves with the rights guaranteed in the bill of rights of the Zambian Constitution.

Corruption and the disregard for human rights ultimately affects all citizens and thus effective solutions should be championed by citizens in collaboration with CSOs, NGOs and the State for sake of development and posterity.

Chapter One Foundation

Rev Cleophas Lungu, Bishop Moses Hamungole and George Chellah walk out of Kapingila House Tuesday 1st Sept 2020

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