Message on Human Rights Day | UN Resident Coordinator ad interim and WHO Representative

Today, the UN family in Zimbabwe joins the Government, development partners, youth, and communities to mark the International Human Rights Day being celebrated under the theme- Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights.

This theme is at the core of Article ONE of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

As we continue to work together to reduce inequality and advance human rights in Zimbabwe, allow me to share with you four points:

First, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals and the National Development Strategy should guide our collective efforts to advance economic, social, cultural, and political rights for all in Zimbabwe.

Second, we need to continue working together to advance gender equality, end harmful practices such as child marriages, and to ensure the inclusion of everyone, particularly those likely to be left furthest behind.

Third, we need to speed up the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Unless we address the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves, it will be difficult to reduce inequality and advance human rights.

And fourth, we must ensure youth participation at all levels of the development discourse decision-making processes.

Zimbabwe and the world still remain in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let us continue to do all we can to complement the efforts of Government of Zimbabwe and ensure that all those eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination receive it. Let us also encourage all to comply with preventive measures including correct use of face masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.

Thanks to the aspirations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, significant progress has been made over the years. It is possible for a future where everyone’s human rights are respected all the time and everywhere.

This requires for everyone to work together. The UN remains a partner and facilitator in advancing human rights.

In the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, I would like to invite you to join me in lending your name and your efforts to equality on https://www.standup4humanrights.org.  

So that we can recover better, fairer, and greener from the ongoing multiple crises and rebuild more resilient and sustainable societies.

Thank you.

Dr Alex Gasasira, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim and WHO Representative, Harare