Veep cautions against Discrimination

Posted Dec 29, 2009

Zambia’s Vice President, Hon. George Kunda, has urged that no-one should be discriminated against in the country today on the basis of one’s status.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Minister of Justice, Hon. Toddy Chilembo who graced the commemorations of the International Human Rights Day on 10th December in Lusaka, the Vice President said discrimination should be fought in all its forms.

“As we commemorate this important day, let us embrace one another. We should act as one in fighting discrimination,” said the Vice President.

He said government was committed to ending discrimination in line with human rights treaties that Zambia has ratified.

Human Rights Commission Vice Chairperson, Palan Mulonda, said stigma and discrimination are still a source of concern in the country.

He observed that vulnerable groups were still being subjected to the worst forms of human rights violations because of stigma and discrimination.

“This is why stigma and discrimination is considered a violation of human rights,” he added.

He urged that Zambia should embrace diversity and end discrimination by upholding human rights principles and standards.

On 10th December, the Human Rights Commission organized, among other activities, a public event at Lusaka Museum which brought together stakeholders including the vulnerable groups such as children and persons with disability to commemorate the Human Rights Day.

This year, the Human Rights Day was commemorated under the theme “Embrace Diversity; End Discrimination.”