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All 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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