Zimbabwe: Austerity budgets alienating socio-economic rights in Southern Africa-Amnesty International
By Own Correspondent – Amnesty International Southern Africa Regional Director Deprose Muchena has blamed austerity budgets by some Southern African countries for stifling socio-economic rights of citizens.
Amnesty International Southern Africa Regional Director Deprose Muchena
Speaking on Amnesty International’s The State of World’s Human Rights Report 2017-18 on Radio Voice of the People(Radio Vop) programme, Mr Muchena said what was observed in the report is that most Southern African countries including Zimbabwe are putting austerity budgets that are relegating the fundamental human rights to the peripherals
“It has been noted that most of the countries in Southern Africa are putting emphasis on austerity measures in their budgets ignoring socio-economic rights like education which still remains pricey for most children living in this region, ”cited the Amnesty Southern Africa Regional Director. “
2017 was a terrible year for human rights in Southern Africa. There was widespread punishment of dissenting voices and politically-motivated attacks on peaceful protests, as well as growing inequalities and precarious access to social and economic rights, said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa.
The report covers 159 countries, including 11 in Southern Africa, delivers the most comprehensive analysis of the state of human rights in the world today.
In Southern Africa , the report warns that the space for human rights defenders, activists, journalists and opposition political parties was increasingly restricted.
Throughout the region, there are persistent worries about the rising levels of people living below the poverty line. In Madagascar, poverty was widespread. Access to food, water, health care and education remained a privilege for the few.
In Zimbabwe, economic instability, drought, high poverty levels and unemployment were some of the obstacles for many to access education, health and food. Children are affected by extreme poverty and their chances of succeeding in life are slim.
South Africa remains one of the highest unequal countries in the world today. Profound inequalities are continuing to undermine economic, social, and cultural rights for millions of South Africans.
According to the report , millions of people worldwide are facing increasingly precarious access to basic goods and services such as housing, food and health care. Amnesty International warned that unless governments tackle the underlying causes of poverty and inequality, there is huge potential for even greater unrest.
