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Democratic United Front for a People-Driven Constitution
Democratic United Front
June 23, 2009

Concerned with the non-participatory nature of the constitutional making process under Art. 6 of the Global Political Agreement and the marginalisation of working people, over 60 social movements and organisations of working people and the poor established the Democratic United Front for a People-Driven Constitution (DUF) on 22nd May 2009. DUF includes organisations representing women, workers, residents, AIDS/HIV activists, traders, youths, students, consumers, the disabled, faith and traditional -based, children, peasants, academics, war veterans, socialists, environmental-social-economic justice activists and marginalised sections of society.

DUF fights for constitution-making process which is democratic, participatory, gender-balanced and people-driven and for a constitution that reverses the attacks by neoliberal, free-market, capitalist and political authoritarian structures on ordinary people and democracy over the last two decades and enshrines as legally enforceable and funded, the economic, social and political rights of working people and the poor.

DUF is not a political party but a constitutional alliance comprised of progressive forces fighting for a people-driven and anti-neoliberal constitution, regardless of whether they join or boycott the GPA Art. 6 process. It invites individual and organisational membership, regardless of political party affiliation.

DUF stands on the following 10 Fundamental Principles:

1. For a people-driven constitution reform exercise in terms of process and content, with the people themselves writing their own constitution through democratically elected representatives to a Constitutional Assembly or All Stakeholders Conference .The Art.6 GPA process is not people driven because: there is no elected Constitutional Assembly, it is dominated by politicians and parliament through the Select Committee; Parliament reserves the right to amend the draft from the Stakeholders Conference ; it is based on the Kariba Draft Constitution which excludes socio-economic rights including labour, gender, youths and disabled rights and retains the undemocratic executive presidency.
2. For a comprehensive and broad-based participatory democratic process in the formulation, drafting, advocacy and adoption of a new constitution, including the All-Stakeholders Conferences and a balanced and adequate representation of women, the disabled, working people and other marginalized groups.
3. For the Draft Constitution of the Stake-Holders Conference going to referendum, without any modification by Parliament as called for under the GPA; and the holding of immediate fresh elections thereafter.
4. For a constitution that ensures that the country's key natural resources, wealth and strategic businesses such as ngoda (diamonds), gold, platinum and those producing basic essential goods, are under public control and not commercialized or privatized but used fund the socio-economic rights of the people.
5. For full political and state democracy, i.e. free and fair elections; selection of state and constitutional offices through participatory processes and the right to recall elected officials. For checks and balances in the exercise of state executive, legislative or judicial powers with no power concentrated in one individual or office.
6. For full democratisation of judicial power, which has been used against the poor. Judges should be elected/selected under time -defined and revocable mandates. Composition of the highest courts should be multi-divisional including final appellate divisions for socio-economic rights, labour and gender areas with judges drawn from a broad range of experts.
7. For the right of Citizens to organize and defend their rights and the Constitution, including rights to: strike, boycott, demonstrate, petition, assemble and by any other means necessary.
8. For unity of all progressive movements and organizations to fight as a united front based on values of internal democracy, gender balance regional balance and elected representatives subject to recall.
9. For struggle and resistance as the only effective way to win democracy and a people-driven constitution.
10. For participation in the current GPA Constitution- making process, but under protest and uniting with progressive networks inside and outside the GPA process fighting for a people -driven constitution, and therefore reserving the right to pull out of the GPA process should the above benchmarks not be met.

Nothing for Us Without Us! Our Country is not for Sale! Another Zimbabwe is Possible! Penga Murombo! Qina Myanga! The People Shall Write Their Own Constitution!

DUF is organized in all 10 provinces and the Diaspora. We invite progressive organizations and persons to join DUF at:
Secretariat: c/o Zimbabwe Labour Centre, CrossRoads House, 43 J. Nyerere Way Harare
Email:alliance.constitutional@gmail.com
Tel: 04-704209 / 0912-908847

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