Report of the 2014 International Human Rights Day Commemorations - 10th December 2014 Amphitheatre, Bulawayo The ZHRC Chairperson then delivered his speech. The speech underlined the commitments and contributions Zimbabwe has made to date as a member of the United Nations (UN) through membership of the UN General Assembly, promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms through ratifying and domesticating charter based and treaty based international treaties and conventions, advancing world peace initiatives and participating in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms and processes. Echoing UN Secretary General (Mr. Ban Ki Moon)’s appeal to the Global community on the occasion of this year’s International Human Rights Day Commemorations, the ZHRC Chairperson emphasised the need for every person to play their part in “the struggle against injustice, intolerance and extremism”. Part of the crowd that attended the commemorations follow proceedings in the Amphitheatre, (Courtesy; ZHRC Education, Promotion & Research and Public Relations Units) The Chairperson reminded the gathering that society had the collective responsibility to promote awareness of fundamental human rights and freedoms at the level of the family; advancing gender equality at all levels and shunning negative cultural practices that fuel gender inequality and neglect children’s best interests. The Chairperson reiterated that the Commission is alive to the endemic culture of corruption and malpractices in public institutions and agencies negatively impacting on service delivery by public institutions and agencies. He concluded his speech by congratulating the people of Zimbabwe for commemorating the event and thanked all stakeholders who had made the commemorations possible. Representatives of Cluster Organisations delivered messages of solidarity on behalf of Women’s Rights Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Human Rights Civil Society Organisations, Persons Living with Disabilities, Labour, Government, Youth, Page 12 of 19

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