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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Joint
civil society statement on Zimbabwe
Civil Societies of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe
April 13, 2008
The People of
Zimbabwe and Zambia are one, despite the false barriers of colonial
boundaries. Our struggles for democracy and dignity are the same
although the local contexts may differ.
We, the undersigned
representatives of Civil Society Organizations in our countries,
have met to discuss the electoral crisis in Zimbabwe in the spirit
of genuine Pan-African solidarity.
We appreciate
the efforts of the SADC Heads of State to address the crisis through
the Extraordinary Summit of 12 April 2008 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The statement
released by the SADC leaders attempts to address some of the issues
that concern us. However, the statement falls short of the expectations
of the peoples of our countries.
We expected
the SADC leaders to make specific demands upon the Zimbabwean regime,
including demands to:
- Compel Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) to immediately announce the true results
of the presidential election of 29th March 2008.
- Prevent Robert
Mugabe and his security personnel from tampering with the election
results
- Call upon
the current Zimbabwean regime to stop the continued arbitrary
arrests and detentions of the non-military personnel of the ZEC.
- Dismantle
the de facto coup and apply pressure on the military to hand over
power to a civilian government.
- And in the
event that the results show no winner of 50% plus one vote, to
set up a Heads of State team that will mediate between ZANU PF
and MDC in order to: (a) Set an election run-off time line. (b)
Establish a credible, independent and impartial election management
body to replace ZEC whose credibility and reputation has been
damaged beyond repair that will implement the election run-off
without fear or favor and constituted by people acceptable to
all parties. (c) Ensure that the election run-off is internationally
supported, supervised and observed and run under circumstances
where Zimbabweans are able to fully and effectively participate
in their national affairs in an environment of peace and tranquillity,
free from intimidation and political violence and retribution.
(d) Demand that the duly elected and constituted parliament is
immediately convened and allowed to carry out their constitutional
duties. (e) Demand free access for regional observers including
the media during the run-off period until after the results are
accepted by the majority.
- Ensure measures
are in place, until the run-off is held, that Robert Mugabe is
not allowed to rule by decree supported by the military.
The SADC Heads
of States, ZANU PF, MDC and other concerned parties to take cognizant
of the fact that should violence erupt in Zimbabwe, it is especially
women and children that will be affected the most, therefore this
situation should be treated with urgency.
Endorsed By:
African
Agenda for Peace Initiatives and Conflict Management (AAPICOM)
Anti Voter Apathy Project
Caritas Zambia
Churches in Manicaland
Citizens Forum
Civil Society APRM Secretariat
Combined Harare
Residents' Association
Crisis Coalition
Zimbabwe
Ditshwanelo - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights
Foundation for Democratic Process
General Agricultural Plantation Workers' Union of Zimbabwe
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
International Federation For Human Rights (FIDH)
International Socialist Organisation
Manicaland Legal Practitioners' Association
Media Institute
of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe Chapter
Media Monitoring
Project Zimbabwe
Namibia National Society for Human Rights (NSHR)
National Constitutional
Assembly
National Organisation
of Non-Governmental Organisations
Non Governmental Organisations Coordinatiing Council
Organisation Development and Community Management Trust
Progressive Teachers' Union of
Zimbabwe
Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe
Save Zimbabwe Campaign
Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes
Students' Solidarity
Trust
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) Kenya
Transparency International Zambia
We the People
Women of Zimbabwe
Arise
World Organization against Torture (OMCT)
Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe
Zambia Council for Social Development
Zambia Social Forum
Zimbabwe Association
of Doctors for Human Rghts
Zimbabwe Coalition
of Debt and Development
Zimbabwe Congress
of Trade Unions
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association (ZimRights)
Zimbabwe Human
Rights NGO Forum
Zimbabwe Lawyers
for Human Rights (ZLHR)
Zimbabwe National
Students Union (ZINASU)
Zimbabwe Students
Christian Movement
Zimbabwe Youth Movement
Other organizations
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