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African
leaders should take firm stand on Zimbabwean crisis
CIVICUS
June 27, 2008
http://www.civicus.org/new/media/CIVICUS-Zimbabwe-Statement.pdf
CIVICUS World
Alliance for Citizen Participation and the Global Call to Action
against Poverty express their deep concern at the recent events
in Zimbabwe. Gross violations of human and democratic rights enshrined
in the African Charter of Human and People's Rights by Mr
Mugabe's regime need not only strong condemnation but also
urgent action by Heads of State and Government in Africa.
By throttling
legitimate dissent, Mr Mugabe is leading his country and its people
down a path of self-destruction. We believe it is the responsibility
of every Member State in the African Union to urgently put a stop
to Mr Mugabe's anti-democratic activities and protect the
people of Zimbabwe who in addition to being citizens of their own
country are also constituents of the African Union. In the past,
Mr Mugabe has been emboldened to carry out his campaign to repress
democratic opposition due to a perceived belief that his fellow
Heads of State and Government will not oppose him strongly for his
misguided actions within the country.
We believe that
the time for quiet backroom diplomacy has passed and it is time
for African leaders to play a more active role in resolving the
crisis in Zimbabwe. To reiterate the immortal words of Martin Luther
King Jr, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
In these perilous
times, African leaders must rise to the occasion and prevent Mr
Mugabe from further persecuting independent voices and those who
oppose his political beliefs. "Political niceties cannot be
an excuse to condone gross and flagrant violations of the rule of
law. History will judge us harshly if we do not act now" said
Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General of CIVICUS urging all African
leaders to agree on concrete action to restore constitutionality
in Zimbabwe as they meet at the African Union Summit in Egypt.
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