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Resolution concerning twenty-two Zimbabwean parliamentarians adopted unanimously
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Mexico - April 23, 2004

http://www.ipu.org/hr-e/174/Zbw12.htm

Zimbabwe

Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 174^th session*

The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the outline of the case of Mr. Justin Mutendadzamera, Mr. Fletcher Dulini-Ncube, Mr. Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Mr. David Mpala, Mr. Abednico Bhebhe, Mr. Peter Nyoni, Mr. David Coltart, Mr. Roy Bennet, Mr. Job Sikhala, Mr. Tichaona Munyanyi, Ms. Pauline Mpariwa, Ms. Trudy Stevenson, Ms. Evelyn Masaiti, Mr. Tendai Biti, Mr. Gabriel Chaibva, Mr. Paul Madzore, Mr. Giles Mutsekewa, Mr. Austin Mupandawana and Mr. Gibson Sibanda, all incumbent members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, as contained in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians(CL/174/12(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 173rd session (October 2003), ,

Recalling that the MPs concerned are all members of the recently created opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which in the 2000 general elections won 57 of the 120 directly elected seats of the Parliament of Zimbabwe,

Recalling that, according to the source, the MPs concerned , were either victims of fabricated charges, illegal detentions, ill-treatment, including cases of torture, or victims of violent attacks generally led by youth groups linked to the Government party, in the absence of any attempt by the authorities to identify and prosecute the attackers,

Similarly recalling that, according to the Government authorities, these MPs "have tried to advance perspectives that they are being [made] victims by the government and Zanu PF supporters" so as to further their political agenda aimed ultimately at changing the Government by any means,

Recalling that, at its 171st session (September 2002), it decided to carry out an on-site mission to gather on the spot as much detailed information as possible on the situation of the MPs concerned through meetings with the competent parliamentary, governmental, judicial and administrative authorities, with the MPs concerned themselves and any other organisations or persons competent to provide relevant information; recalling that the authorities of Zimbabwe agreed to the mission, but that it had to be postponed twice at their request,

Considering that the mission finally went ahead from 28 March to 2 April 2004 and, at the Committee's request, was carried out by the its former President, Mr. Juan-Pablo Letelier, and honorary Secretary General Mr. Pierre Cornillon, who were accompanied by the Committee's Secretary,

Considering that, at its session in Mexico City, the Committee heard an oral report from Mr. Letelier and also heard Mr. Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and leader of the Zimbabwean delegation to the 110th Assembly,

Noting that the mission was able to fulfil its mandate and, with the exception of the Minister of Home Affairs, met the competent authorities and the MPs concerned themselves; noting also that the police authorities have sent in writing the additional information they undertook to provide,

Considering that the delegation's preliminary observations suggest that, while the role of the political opposition is seemingly understood in Parliament, the governmental and the administrative authorities, in particular the police, and the government media, tend to disparage the MDC and its members, with all the consequences that attend such a negative and partial perception of a political party by the authorities,

Considering that, after the return of mission, information on new arrests of MDC members, in particular the arrest of MP Evelyn Masaiti on 17 April 2004, has reached the Committee,

1. Thanks the parliament of zimbabwe, in particular the speaker, for the arrangements made to enable the mission to go ahead and to fulfil its mandate; also thanks him for the hospitality extended to its delegation;
2. Also thanks the governmental, judicial and administrative authorities for their cooperation with the delegation and for the information they provided;
3. Wishes to thank all other parties with whom the delegation met, in particular the mps concerned themselves, for their cooperation;
4. Thanks the delegation for its work; fears, in the light of its preliminary findings, that the information it was able to gather tends to confirm its earlier concerns regarding the systematic harassment of the political opposition;
5. Awaits with interest the mission's detailed written report and the comments the authorities and other parties concerned may submit on it;
6. Requests the Secretary General to convey this resolution to the authorities, the MPs concerned and the sources,
7. Requests the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to continue examining this case and report to it at its next session, to be held on the occasion of the 111th Assembly (September-October 2004).

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