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Statement to the Commonwealth
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
March 19, 2003

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental organization mandated to ensure the practical realization of human rights in the Commonwealth, calls upon the Commonwealth to stand firm on issues of good governance, the rule of law and human rights in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is in a state of crisis and this is a crucial time for the Commonwealth to show its relevance. March 19^th is the anniversary of Zimbabwe’s suspension from the councils of the Commonwealth and yet in that time, the government’s human rights record has in fact worsened.

In their statement to the Commonwealth, to be released on March 19^th, CHRI expressed their concern over the human rights situation in Zimbabwe including the political use of food distribution, the lack of government legitimacy, the restrictions on civil society space through the use of laws such as the Public Order and Security Act, and intimidation of the press, judiciary and the Opposition.

CHRI welcomed the decision to maintain Zimbabwe’s current suspension from the councils of the Commonwealth until the Commonwealth Heads of Government address the issue at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Nigeria in December 2003; but argued that more must be done. Ms Maja Daruwala, Director of CHRI, explains: "While the Commonwealth Heads of Government have on many occasions expressed their commitment to the protection of human rights, good governance and the importance of the rule of law, they must balance this rhetoric with action. If the Commonwealth does not do all it can to stop the Zimbabwe government’s flagrant violation of international human rights standards, the very credibility of the Commonwealth will be at stake, as well as the lives of Zimbabwean citizens."

CHRI has called on the Commonwealth to maintain Zimbabwe’s current suspension from the Councils of the Commonwealth until there is compliance with Commonwealth standards of good governance, human rights and rule of law. A specific Commonwealth human rights inquiry should be conducted in Zimbabwe prior to re-admittance.

Ms Daruwala added that "In the meantime, Zimbabwe should stay on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which should continue to closely monitor the situation and take a proactive role in promoting a restoration of democracy, rule of law and protection of human rights. Discussions on these issues should also include the leader of the Opposition, the Director of the World Food Programme and civil society organizations." CHRI also called on the Commonwealth to give urgent attention to the deteriorating food situation in Zimbabwe, arguing that immediate international intervention is needed to avert further calamity.

For more information, please contact Clare Doube at CHRI:
N-8, 2^nd Floor, Green Park, New Delhi 110 016, India
Website: www.humanrightsinitiative.org
Tel: (91-11) 2685 0523; Fax: (91-11) 2686 4688
email: clare@humanrightsinitiative.org

Statement by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative to the Commonwealth, March 19 2003

1. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) welcomes the statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General on March 16^th 2003 that Zimbabwe will remain suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth. CHRI also welcomes the Secretary-General’s assurance that this matter will be discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Nigeria in December 2003. However, more action must be taken to ensure that the human rights of the Zimbabwean people are protected.
2. Many of CHRI’s concerns about human rights violations in Zimbabwe have been expressed in past submissions to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). We note with deep concern that the situation has not improved, and that in fact the government has been defiantly pursuing an agenda disrespectful of human rights, and consequently the situation has worsened considerably.
3. Many local and international human rights groups have carefully monitored and documented thousands of cases of human rights abuse in Zimbabwe. CHRI is particularly concerned that:
   
   
• Food is being used for political purposes, with government officials who are responsible for food distribution discriminating against suspected supporters of the Opposition. This action, in a country brought to its knees by current poor food production, drought, and the disastrous effects of AIDS, is reprehensible and has led to and will in the future continue to lead to deliberately created situations of great human tragedy.
• Lack of government legitimacy: the Commonwealth Observer Group noted at the May 2002 Presidential elections the political violence and the lack of free expression of the political will of the people. Similar concerns have been expressed about the local government elections held in September, with rules for registration of candidates changing weeks before the election making it impossible for many opposition candidates to stand, and widespread intimidation forcing the withdrawal of many candidates.
• Restricted civil society space: CHRI deplores the way in which laws such as the Public Order and Security Act have been used to stifle freedom of speech, intimidate critics and screen the government from domestic and international scrutiny. This includes severe restrictions on the work of many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups.
• Summary and extra-judicial executions, illegal arrests, and unlawful detention have been used particularly against the Opposition and vulnerable sections of society. This has created an atmosphere of widespread fear and insecurity, when it is the duty of a government to ensure personal security and civil liberties.
• Media restrictions: In flagrant disregard for freedom of speech, independent media has been restricted, journalists arrested and reportedly threatened with violence or death by the police if their stories are critical of the government and its policies. One example of the attempts to silence independent media is the multiple arrests of local and foreign journalists.
• Organized violence has increased in scope and number of incidents. Torture and rape, including political rape have been used to intimidate the opposition.
  
  
4. In view of all of the above, CHRI has a number of recommendations to the Commonwealth:
5. Zimbabwe should remain suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth until there is compliance with Commonwealth standards of good governance, human rights and rule of law. A specific Commonwealth human rights inquiry should be conducted in Zimbabwe prior to re-admittance.
6. CHRI calls for Zimbabwe to remain on the agenda of CMAG. CMAG should continue to closely monitor the situation and take a proactive role in promoting a restoration of democracy, rule of law and protection of human rights.
7. CHRI calls on the Commonwealth Secretariat and CMAG to continue attempts to engage President Mugabe in dialogue. However, recognizing that this has previously stalled and that Commonwealth Observers found the Presidential elections unfair and recognizing the situation of starvation and political distribution of food, CHRI calls on the Secretary-General to also include the leader of the Opposition, the Director of the World Food Programme and civil society organizations in discussions.
8. CHRI calls on the Commonwealth to give urgent attention to the deteriorating food situation in Zimbabwe, as immediate international intervention is needed to avert further calamity.
9. CHRI urges Commonwealth countries to express grave concern about the plight of Zimbabwe’s citizens in a country resolution at the 59th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
10. The Commonwealth must stand firm on issues of good governance, the rule of law and human rights. To ignore violations of these principles is to risk the credibility of the Commonwealth as an organization, and jeopardize the welfare of Zimbabweans.

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