By Chrispin Sinyangwe
The 10th of
December is a pivotal day in world history; it marked the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights over 60 years ago at the United
Nations General Assembly. The creation of this document was as a
result of the effects of the Second World War that occurred. To
prevent such from ever occurring again an international community
called the UN was formed from its predecessor the legal of nation
which failed to maintain world peace. From the time the declaration
was passed international organisations, world leaders, governments and
stakeholders have had collective responsible in the fight to promote
human rights. To help assist in this fight, the Zambian Human Rights
Commission was established under article 125 of the Constitution of
Zambia and Human Rights Commission act to investigate and remedy human
rights violations, conduct human rights education and monitor
government’s fulfilment of international and regional human rights
treaties, also human rights obligation under national law.
Nonetheless, it was decided upon to have other Rights, these only
targeting children. This led to the formulation of the United Nation
Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC). To which Zambia is a
state party to.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights over 60 years ago at the United
Nations General Assembly. The creation of this document was as a
result of the effects of the Second World War that occurred. To
prevent such from ever occurring again an international community
called the UN was formed from its predecessor the legal of nation
which failed to maintain world peace. From the time the declaration
was passed international organisations, world leaders, governments and
stakeholders have had collective responsible in the fight to promote
human rights. To help assist in this fight, the Zambian Human Rights
Commission was established under article 125 of the Constitution of
Zambia and Human Rights Commission act to investigate and remedy human
rights violations, conduct human rights education and monitor
government’s fulfilment of international and regional human rights
treaties, also human rights obligation under national law.
Nonetheless, it was decided upon to have other Rights, these only
targeting children. This led to the formulation of the United Nation
Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC). To which Zambia is a
state party to.
Over the
years Zambia has also acknowledge other
documents including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a
Child to which it is a state party. Despite Zambia being a state party
to these documents their harmonisation and full recognition has been
lacking in the country. It is therefore important to advocate this
becomes a reality for every Zambian.
documents including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a
Child to which it is a state party. Despite Zambia being a state party
to these documents their harmonisation and full recognition has been
lacking in the country. It is therefore important to advocate this
becomes a reality for every Zambian.
If you walked
through the streets of Lusaka, you would see children
improvising different means of providing recreational facilities. And
just the other day I found very young children playing soccer on the
road while two other boys where skating. I thought to myself these
children have done nothing wrong apart from trying to have something
exciting to do. But still their lives are threatened all because we
lack recreational facilities. Even though we advocate for these
structures to be put in place it may seem futile as even the ones we
have, as a community and a country have failed to maintain.
The topic of these structure been established, allowing children have
access to their developmental rights is greatly needed. But it is also
important not to dwell only on children’s development rights but also
ensure that their survival and participatory rights are promoted. Many
are the times we focus on one issue affecting children and we quickly
forget that children’s rights are broad.
improvising different means of providing recreational facilities. And
just the other day I found very young children playing soccer on the
road while two other boys where skating. I thought to myself these
children have done nothing wrong apart from trying to have something
exciting to do. But still their lives are threatened all because we
lack recreational facilities. Even though we advocate for these
structures to be put in place it may seem futile as even the ones we
have, as a community and a country have failed to maintain.
The topic of these structure been established, allowing children have
access to their developmental rights is greatly needed. But it is also
important not to dwell only on children’s development rights but also
ensure that their survival and participatory rights are promoted. Many
are the times we focus on one issue affecting children and we quickly
forget that children’s rights are broad.
The approach
of recreation can be tackled from three different
points of view. Trying to target schools as the first approach. This
would require improving and upgrading the schools structure on sports
and encouraging children to be part of sport especially the girl
child. The purpose of encouraging the children is also to promote the
diversity of sport and trying to advocate for the variety of sports
they may take keen interest in. The second approach would be community
based. This would require the involvement of the community in
maintaining the grounds in the community and training the aspiring
sports persons. Nelson Mandela said, “There is no keener revelation of
a society’s soul than the way it treats its children.”
points of view. Trying to target schools as the first approach. This
would require improving and upgrading the schools structure on sports
and encouraging children to be part of sport especially the girl
child. The purpose of encouraging the children is also to promote the
diversity of sport and trying to advocate for the variety of sports
they may take keen interest in. The second approach would be community
based. This would require the involvement of the community in
maintaining the grounds in the community and training the aspiring
sports persons. Nelson Mandela said, “There is no keener revelation of
a society’s soul than the way it treats its children.”
The Deputy Mayor
of Lusaka Mr Mulenga Sata , speaking on behalf of the
Mayor of Lusaka during the commemoration of this year’s International Human Rights day held in Matero constituency, highlighted the fact that the quality of life
for the people of Lusaka is determined on the type of service rendered
to the public. Furthermore he pledged on behalf of the council to work
in partnership with the human rights to promote the rights of people.
The international human rights day falls on 10th December.
Mayor of Lusaka during the commemoration of this year’s International Human Rights day held in Matero constituency, highlighted the fact that the quality of life
for the people of Lusaka is determined on the type of service rendered
to the public. Furthermore he pledged on behalf of the council to work
in partnership with the human rights to promote the rights of people.
The international human rights day falls on 10th December.
This year it
fell under the theme, ’20 years working for your rights.’
It is important as a community to highlight the pledges made and make
follow ups if they are not honoured. ‘Pacta sunt servanda’ is a Latin
proverb, if translated means ‘promises must be kept.’
“So long am faced in the right direction, it doesn’t matter the size
of my steps” Andre Gude. We need to find the right path and the size
of our steps won’t matter because eventually we’ll get there.
Children’s News Agency – With support from European Union
It is important as a community to highlight the pledges made and make
follow ups if they are not honoured. ‘Pacta sunt servanda’ is a Latin
proverb, if translated means ‘promises must be kept.’
“So long am faced in the right direction, it doesn’t matter the size
of my steps” Andre Gude. We need to find the right path and the size
of our steps won’t matter because eventually we’ll get there.
Children’s News Agency – With support from European Union
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