Amnesty International marks 60th anniversary of Human Rights Declaration

By Tererai Karimakwenda
10 December, 2007

The human rights watchdog Amnesty International launched their activities for the year 2008 on Monday in South Africa, at an event that also marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Special guests at the occasion were The Elders, the group of 13 elderly statespersons that includes Nelson Mandela, former US president Jimmy Carter and the Nobel Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu. The Elders came together this year to try and resolve critical issues in conflict areas around the world.
Amnesty’s Secretary General Irene Khan said they chose to work with The Elders because they are respected internationally and can help bring the one billion signatures that are needed for the “Every Human Has Rights” campaign that is part of the group’s programme for 2008.

December 10th is also Human Rights Day, and Amnesty International chose the day to release the initial findings of their latest research on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe. A team from Amnesty recently spent time monitoring police brutality and torture on the ground in Zimbabwe.

Khan said the team spent 6 weeks in Zimbabwe and spoke to human rights defenders, activists and politicians from the opposition parties. They reported an escalation of government sponsored human rights abuses aimed at political opposition, women, activists and human rights practitioners.

Khan stressed that although their research team members were able to function on the ground with the government’s knowledge and approval, they were concerned for the safety of those who had given interviews to them and took measures to maximise their security.

The Amnesty findings will soon be published and Khan said their recommendations are very crucial in view of the agreements that are due to be signed by the ruling party and the opposition factions at the conclusion of the mediated talks. Khan said it is important that the agreements include concessions that ensure the protection of human rights. Police impunity is one of the issues that she stressed must be done with away.