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Communiqué on African Solidarity Visit to Zimbabwe 27 Nov
-1 Dec 2006
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
November 30, 2006
We, the members
of the African Solidarity team visiting Zimbabwe from seven African
countries, express our strong support to all the citizens and civil
society of Zimbabwe who are struggling to realize their fundamental
human rights such as freedom of expression, association and assembly
and the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.
During our visit, we met with representatives of civil society including
those from non-governmental organisations, women, students, business,
trade unions and faith-based groups, as well as individuals in government
and opposition parties. They informed us about the high levels of
serious violations of human rights, such crimes as rape and torture
and the struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans to attain a decent standard
of living. We were also informed of the efforts of the courageous
human rights defenders who are challenging the system and demanding
respect for and restoration of basic human rights, despite ongoing
intimidation and arrests. We observed considerable mistrust of government
by civil society and general intolerance of opposing views, even
among civil society.
We are concerned, shocked and alarmed at the impact of repressive
laws and at the severe human rights abuses by the state machinery
that have resulted in deepening poverty, torture and rape, especially
amongst women and children. A lady whose business was demolished
through Operation
Murambatsvina captured the situation as thus: 'The Zimbabwe
of today - typified by ongoing wide-spread demolitions, crushing
of peaceful dissent and a spiraling standard of living - is
not the country we once prayed for and envisioned'.
Despite the frequent human rights abuses by the Government of Zimbabwe
on its people, there has been insignificant intervention from governments
and civil society in the region and beyond.
Recommendations:
Based on our observations, we recommend that the Government of Zimbabwe:
- Begin building,
along with the people of Zimbabwe, the spirit of dialogue, tolerance
and peace in order for them to enjoy and realise basic freedoms
and socio-economic development.
- Be accountable
to its nationals by ensuring that it promotes and protects the
human rights of its people through the establishment of an enabling
democratic environment.
- Heed the
recommendations of the 2005 UN Fact-Finding Mission to Zimbabwe
by Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka regarding Operation Murambatsvina, and
ensure the housing promised to those whose homes were destroyed
is made available.
- Repeal all
the repressive laws that impinge on the enjoyment of fundamental
human rights - such as the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Public
Order and Security Act, Constitutional
Amendment No. 17, and the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act, as well as the pending
NGO Bill.
- Work with
the people of Zimbabwe to review the current constitution to make
it conform with accepted standards and best practice.
- Establish
independent democratic governance institutions such as the Human
Rights Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission that will, in
a transparent manner, promote and protect the enjoyment of human
rights.
In addition,
we urge international partners to support the democratic reform
of governance institutions in Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, we commit ourselves, and further urge regional governments
and civil society institutions, to continue to offer practical solidarity
and tangible assistance to the government and people of Zimbabwe.
Signed in Harare on November 30, 2006:
- John Kapito
(Malawi)
- Don Deya
(Kenya)
- Jeremias
Langa (Mozambique)
- Hannah Forster
(The Gambia)
- Don Mattera
(South Africa)
- Luckson
Chipare (Zimbabwe)
- Fatoumata
Toure (Uganda)
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition fact
sheet
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