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Dear
JCTR Bulletin Readers:
In Zambia today, there is generally a consensus that development is much desired. We Zambians know exactly what the problems are and the corresponding solutions to these problems. This, as seen in articles in this JCTR Bulletin lies in admitting these problems and finding countermeasures to them. Various writers of this quarter of the Bulletin suggest ways of bringing about development ranging from concentration on trade relations to critically analyzing our socio-economic evils. But one of the underlying and crosscutting factors of development is the respect and enjoyment of human rights.
Many of you are aware that JCTR launched a petition campaign last year to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to include Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) in the new Bill of Rights of the New Republican Constitution. In the current Bill of Rights (Part III of the current Constitution), there are only Civil and Political Rights leaving ESCR only as directives that the state can fulfil given enough resources (in part IX of the 1996 Constitution). ESCR aim at ensuring that every individual has access to resources, opportunities and essentials for an adequate standard of living. Examples include the right to food, water and sanitation, good education and the right to adequate health. JCTR strongly believes that these rights are significant in the realisation of integral and sustainable human development in Zambia. When one looks at the Zambian Government’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and the policy measures in the Fifth National Development Plan (FDNP) 2006-2011, one sees that ensuring that ESCR are respected and enjoyed will contribute to meeting these MDGs and help in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the FNDP.
Complete Letter...
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