The council of churches in zambia (ccz) has observed that the country’s politics are daily departing from the tenets of democracy and multi-partism in which different political parties compete through progressive ideas for a chance to rule Zambia and improve the wellbeing and welfare of the economy, its citizens and the country.
Ccz explained that the politics are instead slanting towards character assassination, name calling, intolerance and violence to win or preserve power at all costs.
This is contained in a pastoral letter signed by ccz secretary general subzone Matale and obtained by radio phoenix.
Reverend Matale states that the right to assemble by the citizens, civil society and other political players is being denied and interfered with by those tasked to supervise the enjoyment of this right.
She observed that the right to free political speech is also under threat by same people as the issues affecting the majority poor Zambians are pushed to the periphery while our politicians are busy castigating one another.
The ccz secretary general says these pose a big challenge to the nation in view of the forth coming 2011 general elections and has since called on the politicians to seriously reflect on why they are in politics and to show high levels of patriotism in the way they conduct their politics and in the way they dispense their political duties.
She further called for tolerance and acceptance of divergent views among our politicians so that Zambians are free to join and entertain divergent views in line with our spirit of democracy and multi-partism.
The church has further advised the Electoral Commission of Zambia to explore practical ways of stopping electoral violence and that the Electoral Act be revised to provide for the punishment of politicians that cause or instigate violence before, during and after an election.
Ends/////////////
No comments:
Post a Comment