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This article participates on the following special index pages:
New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
Statement
on the unwarranted disruption of the All Stakeholders Constitutional
Conference
National
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe (NANGO)
July 13, 2009
Civil society organisations, meeting in emergency caucus
at the All Stakeholders Constitutional Conference midday on Monday,
are appalled and deeply disturbed by the chaos, disruption and deliberate
undermining of the All Stakeholders Constitutional Conference as
it started this morning. It appears to us that the process is now
seriously prejudiced, and should only continue with clear and agreed-on
principles underlying all participation.
The disrespect,
intolerance and the contempt displayed toward the Speaker of Parliament,
to the parliament as a whole, to the constitutional process, and
to the vast majority of participants by an organised, permitted
and protected, group of ZANU PF supporters is totally unacceptable.
Unless there is clear condemnation of this action by leaders of
that party it will appear that the action is condoned by the party
leadership (some of whom were present and did not attempt to stop
the disruptions) - and that it represents their attitude to
the process. It is clear that this action indicates an unwillingness
to participate in a genuine constitution-making exercise.
The absence
of security and safety for the conference process, and the partisan
tendencies of some law enforcement agents present was a serious
failure of one of the most essential conditions to create an enabling
environment for the process to commence, this needs urgent attention.
The visible partisanship of the police is a matter of great concern.
There have been selective arrests of Civil Society Activists while
the disrupters of the All Stakeholders Conference continue to walk
free.
The lack of
respect for participants was already evident in the chaotic and
non-transparent charade of a registration process. Most people coming
with the intention of participating were unable to register on Sunday,
which caused disruption and hardship in terms of accommodation and
food. Definite evidence indicated that some groups received favourable
treatment; and it is necessary that an audit of the registration
process be carried out.
The breakdown
of the registration process allowed unrestricted access to the conference
room, and there was a clear, deliberate, pre-planned disruptive
activity carried out by people who were given preferential access
to the ground floor, which facilitated their disruptive action.
In these conditions,
and with the atmosphere of chaos, threats and disruptions, and intolerance,
it appears that the process is almost irretrievably broken down.
Real leadership of the Constitution-making process must be shown
by the Parliamentary Select Committee, which needs immediately to
include into the collective management process organisations of
civil society; without this leadership the constitution-making process
is threatened.
We demand:
- That the
conference should continue, under clear and agreed principles and
different conditions, and with the complete prevention of the recurrence
of the events of this morning
- The immediate composition of a broad participatory management
committee for the constitution making process, involving substantive
representation from civil society organisations of all relevant
sectors
- That clear values and principles be formulated and agreed upon
as ground rules for participation in the constitution-making process
and be the basis for participation
- That substantive mechanisms for conflict and dispute management
be established
- That there be an immediate explanation of the events of the morning,
including the absense of an adequate security presence and response
- That an enquiry be carried out into the problems surrounding invitations,
registration and the provision of accommodation and food for delegates
- That there be an immediate release of all activists arrested.
- That there should be active participation of the three principals
of the GPA, as a show of their commitment to the constitution-making
process.
* Issued
by the National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO)
for and on behalf of Civil Society delegates present at the Civil
Society caucus meetings at the All Stakeholders Constitutional Conference.
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