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Concerns over transparency of the COPAC constitution drafting process
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Independent Constitution Monitoring Project (ZZZICOMP)
August 19, 2011

After a press conference with the Select Committee on the 18th of August 2011, The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Independent Constitution Monitoring Project (ZZZICOMP) is worried by the lack of transparency that shrouds the drafting process. This came out during the press briefing meeting that revealed that civic society will not be allowed to observe the drafting stage of the constitution making process.

It is worrying that COPAC will not avail the outreach process reports to civic society or public which will make it difficult for organisations like ZZZICOMP to compare ultimate product and benchmark it with the views in the national report.

ZZZICOMP has been monitoring and will continue to monitor the COPAC process in order to adjudge how democratic and transparent the constitution-making process is, and if it accurately reflects the input of broad and diverse popular participation.

ZZZICOMP reiterates that as a non-partisan, independent and professional organisation whose main functions are to promote peace, democratic elections and to foster a culture of human rights and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe and other likeminded groups should be allowed to access outreach reports and to continue monitoring the whole process to the end if COPAC is sincere about transparency.

ZZZICOMP appeals to COPAC to increase confidence-building measures in the process and to be reminded that the process is not a political process but a process for citizens of Zimbabwe. We insist on greater transparency and continue to pressure for the availability of information, monitoring of the drafting stage and other subsequent events leading to the referendum.

We urge COPAC to select qualified and capable people who will support the drafting team which will commence soon. We believe the drafting team is comprised of people of integrity who understand the concepts of the process and who will capture them accurately.

Visit the Zimbabwe Election Support Network fact sheet

Visit the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights fact sheet

Visit the Zimbabwe Peace Project fact sheet

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