SADC countries voice their tune on Human right issues

By Precious Sue Msosa

The southern Africa social Forum which opened it’s doors yesterday at civo stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi saw several countries from the region banging their heads on human rights and eventually telling their countryie’s stand.

Speaking in an interview, vice chairperson for the Zambian marketers Association Dorothy Mbulo said women in her country are not given much chance to compete in decision making positions despite several efforts from the civil society.

On dressing she said young ladies in her country dress in a very provocative way which has also led into high levels of HIV/ AIDS in their country.
She further said this is not in line with their rights as they claim because rights don’t mean people should be walking naked .

“Imagine our ladies putting on trousers which expose their bottoms ,does the rights says that? And what else can men do”, Questioned Mbulo
A represententive from Swaziland Bongnhlanhla Gama chairman for workers forum said in their country the rights are not being respected, so he hopes the converging of several countries will help in speaking against these malpractices especially on land eviction.
He disclosed that a chief who died four years ago has not yet been buried due to land disputes.

He added that local human rights organizations have tried to criticize this but nothing tangible has come to the lime light. And up to date the body of the chief is still in the mortuary.
So he hopes that this forum through human rights organizations will take up this issue with the authorities in Swaziland.

How ever Brian Mcgary from Zimbabwe coalition on debts and development{ZAMCODD} said the human rights abuses in their country is worse as is when trade unions speak about rights the government take it as a threat.
This , he added that has led into many trade union leaders imprisoned and tortured.