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Statement
on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number Eighteen)
Bill
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
September
07, 2007
The NCA stands
for the principle that constitutions must be made by, and for, the
people. This is why it advocates for a new, democratic, and people-driven
constitution.
From its inception,
the NCA has always insisted that Zimbabwe needs a new constitution
and not piecemeal amendments to the current constitution, which
has been amended 17 times since 1980.
The proposed
Constitution of Zimbabwe
Amendment number 18 shares with its predecessors one key characteristic:
it is designed not to serve the interest of the people but those
of ruling politicians of the day. It is unacceptable and it is for
the reason that the NCA is pushing for a constitution that is not
focused on partisan political interests. Only a people-driven process
will guarantee a constitution that will survive beyond the self-interests
of the government of the day.
No government,
no matter how popular, and no president, whatever his credentials
must be allowed to author a constitution. Constitution making is
the preserve of the people.
It is clear
that the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 18 has
only one purpose: to promote the interests and agenda of those who
are currently in government and would want to remain so forever.
No right thinking Zimbabwean should support this.
The so-called
public hearings by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, to take place around the country,
do not change the fact that the proposed amendment of the constitution
is not a people-driven process.
Accordingly, the NCA
urges all Zimbabweans to reject piecemeal amendments to the constitution
and therefore in the process reject the proposed Amendment Number
18. The NCA encourages Zimbabweans to intensify the push for a new
, democratic, people-driven constitution.
We will vote
in 2008 under a new constitution!!
Visit the NCA
fact
sheet
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