Ditshwanelo

International Human Rights Day 10 December – Embrace diversity. End discrimination

DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights joins the rest of the world in recognising the United Nations (UN) International Day for Human Rights on 10 December 2009. The theme for this year is ‘Embrace diversity. End discrimination’. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillai has stated that ‘Discrimination lies at the root of many of the world’s most pressing human rights problems. No country is immune from this scourge. Eliminating discrimination is a duty of the highest order’.

On 10 December 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations. The UDHR sets out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which every human being, everywhere in the world is entitled. This is expressed in Article 1: ”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

DITSHWANELO remains committed to ensuring that the dignity of all persons is recognised, respected and protected. This is reflected in its work in the region and in Botswana.
As a founding member of The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ), DITSHWANELO focuses on the socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe. This, because of its effects in the region, in general, and in Botswana, in particular. In recognition of International Human Rights Day, BOCISCOZ is hosting a week long exhibition about the experiences of Zimbabwean children who have fled to South Africa. Their stories can be heard through audio equipment and seen in the drawings which they have made depicting their personal journeys.

DITSHWANELO recognises that in the quest for equality, the importance of respecting diversity can often be forgotten. There is nothing wrong with being different. What is wrong is when difference is used as a basis for negative discrimination and unequal treatment.
DITSHWANELO continues to embrace diversity to end discrimination through its work with:

the indigenous peoples of Botswana – The Basarwa peoples;
the people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS;
the gay, lesbian, bisexual and intersex people;
the refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants;
the poor who have no access to legal representation, who have constrained access to information, and who are not active participants in development processes; and
the children, who are often voiceless in our society.

DITSHWANELO has in the past and restates its position that there is need for a comprehensive Constitutional review. The current Constitution is a creature of the 1960’s. A time when socio-economic and cultural rights were not widely recognised. Our Constitution reflects this reality. In contemporary human rights paradigms, socio-economic and cultural rights are recognised. It is time for our Constitution to be more rights-based and aligned with international human rights principles. In this way the Constitution will become an essential tool to safeguard our society from discrimination.

DITSHWANELO acknowledges the roadmap of President Seretse Khama Ian Khama. We accept the value placed on dignity which is the cornerstone of our human rights work. The recognition that ‘motho ke motho ka batho’ is a value which is intrinsic to our Tswana cultures. This is closely linked to the value of recognising the dignity of every human being. We call upon all Batswana to recognise that botho is the basis for the development of a compassionate, just and caring nation as envisaged in Vision 2016. Through embracing all people, whatever their differences, we can contribute positively towards the removal of discrimination from our society.

For more information, please contact DITSHWANELO- The Botswana Centre for Human Rights at Tel: 267 390 6998, Fax: 267 390 7778, Website www.ditshwanelo.info.bw, Email: admin.ditshwanelo@info.bw/ditshwanelo-myfuturetoday@info.org.bw.