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Every day of inaction is a crime against the people of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum
April 22, 2008

The Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum notes with growing concern the escalation of retributive violence perpetrated by the Zimbabwe state security forces and paramilitaries against civilians across the country. Democratic expression is being systematically destroyed and the will of the people is being replaced by the use of force and the right of might.

Reports of at least ten deaths, hospitals overflowing with several hundreds of people severely beaten and thousands forced to flee their burning homes, are compounded by evidence of food relief being cut off to those suspected of voting for the MDC during the election.

At the same time the illegal actions of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in refusing to release the results and in allowing the ballot boxes to be removed from the command centres out of the sight of election officers are in contravention of the urging of the SADC Communiqué from the emergency Lusaka Summit and a direct challenge to SADC and the African Union.

The ZEC no longer has any legitimacy or credibility as the guardian of democracy. There is no respect for the rule of law in Zimbabwe and domestic legal means will not find lasting solutions. The growing call from within Zimbabwe and by civil society actors and the diplomatic community from around the world for an immediate external intervention demand an urgent unified response.

The demand is simple:

• STOP THE VIOLENCE
• RELEASE THE RESULTS
• DEMAND AN EXTERNALLY SUPERVISED TRANSITION

The African Union needs to demonstrate decisive leadership that responds to the latest events. The ZSF adds its voice to those who are calling for strong unambiguous public statements that condemn the use of violence and the manipulation of the election outcomes. The African Union, SADC and the member states of the AU must act now to warn the Zimbabwean State and the ZEC that its actions are unacceptable.

The African Union should intervene immediately and send a high level delegation to Zimbabwe to halt the current escalation of violence. A mediated dialogue must agree on a transition process that breaks the current cycle of violence and puts democracy back on track. National sovereignty cannot be an excuse for failing to act in defense of human security.

Civil society actors across the continent and around the world must pressure their governments to unite around this call. Each day we wait is a crime against defenseless people whose brave stand against autocracy is being rewarded by silence and complicity with the abuse of power.

To SADC we say:
Speak out publicly against the breaches of agreements reached during the talks you initiated. Warn those who threaten violence that it will not be tolerated. Deepen your diplomatic efforts to prevent a further deterioration of the situation, to demand that the election results be released and to supervise a transition process that breaks the cycle of violence.

To the African Union we say:
Give power to SADC by speaking out publicly against violence and in support of the rule of law. Prepare now to lead the world in overseeing a transition process in Zimbabwe. Consider the growing call for an international peacekeeping force to intervene in defense of Zimbabwean citizens and their rights. Begin the preparations for this now.

To the African National Congress we say:
Use your influence within ZANU and the MDC to encourage an immediate outcome that allows a transition process in Zimbabwe to begin

To the South African government we say:
Engage the MDC, ZANU-PF and the civic movements of Zimbabwe in discussions to end the violence and begin a process of democratic transition. Make it clear that violence will not be tolerated. Defend the people of Zimbabwe, defend the democratic transformation of our region, defend our own democracy.

To progressive forces from across Africa and around the world we say:
Join the people of Zimbabwe in defence of human security and the exposure of violence and repression. Initiate discussions on an arms embargo and other ways of isolating perpetrators of violence and autocratic rule.

Aluta Continua! Forward to freedom and democracy!

For more information Contact:

Sipho Theys 082 5000 811
Richard Smith 082 3915 964
Philani Ndebele 076 9423 565

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