The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has issued a stern warning, stating that rampant corruption directly undermines human rights and administrative justice, posing a significant threat to the country's national and development goals.
In a presentation by Thomas Kanyimo, the ZHRC’s Acting Director for Complaints Handling and Investigations and Administrative Justice, the Commission highlighted its critical role at the intersection of human rights protection and administrative justice, established under sections 232(b) and 242 of the Constitution.
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The ZHRC outlined ten critical ways corruption erodes the national fabric. The Commission notes that corruption harms citizens by "Disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, youth, pensioners, and the elderly." This systemic decay manifests through several destructive mechanisms, including distorting resource allocation by prioritizing personal gains over collective national interests, eroding public trust in state institutions, and compromising the judicial system through bribery and favouritism.
Furthermore, corruption is cited for violating civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of citizens, enabling the looting of natural resources and environmental degradation, and weakening civil society voices that advocate for rights and justice. Ultimately, the practice is blamed for hindering sustainable development and access to essential services, perpetuating ineffective governance and poor public service delivery, and damaging international relations, investment prospects, and foreign aid.
The Commission stressed that addressing corruption is not merely a matter of good governance, but is essential for the protection of human rights and the equitable development of Zimbabwe. The ZHRC acts as a crucial body for receiving complaints and ensuring redress, safeguarding citizens' rights and promoting fair administration across the country.
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