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Stakeholders Conference on Constitution in Zimbabwe Resolutions
September 17, 2005
The Zimbabwe Congress
of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Zimbabwe
National Students Union (ZINASU), Crisis Coalition and Churches organised
the conference which came out with the following resolutions:
1. THAT there is urgent
need for a democratic constitution as the foundation for a democratic
government;
2. THAT they will
encourage all Zimbabweans to reject piecemeal constitutional amendment
processes, and in particular the undemocratic imposition of Constitutional
Amendment (No.17) Act, which has failed to recognise the need for broad-based
and inclusive consultation with all stakeholders;
3. TO reaffirm the
need for a home-grown constitution produced with full people participation;
4. TO call upon strategic
institutions (including sub-regional governments, the SADC, the African
Union and the United Nations mechanisms) to exert pressure on the government
of Zimbabwe to engage in broad consultation with opposition political
parties and civic organisations in order to achieve a home-grown and representative
constitution as a first step towards instituting sustainable and democratic
governance systems;
5. TO further call
upon these institutions to support the call for an opening up of the democratic
space which will allow the People of Zimbabwe to fully inform themselves
and participate in the processes critical for the development of a truly
representative constitution;
6. TO work together
in promoting a people-driven constitution nationwide, with specific focus
on intervention activities with grassroots communities;
Process
7. THAT the National
Constitutional Assembly (NCA) will produce strategies, including work
plans and activities, mainly located in grassroots communities, with realistic
time frames to operationalise the demand for a home-grown, people-driven
constitution;
8. THAT such activities
will be pursued in consultation with the organising institutions (the
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the Zimbabwe National Students Union)
as well as women’s groups and political parties, recognising the importance
of their substantive involvement in all stages leading to a new constitution;
9. That there is a
need to link the constitutional reform process with other critical issues,
specifically the humanitarian crisis that has arisen due to misgovernance;
10. THAT there is
a need to consciously build a safety net for human rights defenders who
find themselves targeted for persecution as a result of their activities
in demanding for a home-grown, people-driven constitution;
11. THAT strategic
networks in the region will have a role in contributing towards the realisation
of the objectives, in the pursuit of international lobby and advocacy
initiatives, and in emphasising the demands for a constitution that meets
the requirements of constitutionalism and allows for separation of powers
to check the executive excesses currently impacting on the people of Zimbabwe.
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