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16 November: International day of tolerance
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
November 16, 2007

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is pleased to join the generality of Zimbabweans and the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Tolerance. On the day of its fiftieth anniversary, 16 November 1995, UNESCO's Member States adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. Among other things, the Declaration affirms that tolerance is neither indulgence nor indifference. It is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. "Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe..." (UNESCO)

The Zimbabwean society is highly polarized along party political lines. This polarization has created high levels of intolerance among members of various political groups. It has manifested itself in election violence, human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests and detentions to name a few. On various occasions CHRA members have been arrested, detained and tortured. The majority of the arrests and torture arise from the failure by the police and other various arms including individuals in government, to tolerate divergent views. Many of our activities, especially public meetings have been disturbed and at other instances banned as a direct result of ideological intolerance.

In 2002 CHRA Chief Executive Officer Mr Barnabas Mangodza, Mr Jameson Gadzirai, Mr Joseph Rose and one of our youthful members, were arrested and tortured during a CHRA program and the perpetrators have not been brought to book. In July 2006 nineteen CHRA members were arrested and detained during a peaceful demonstration against illegal water rates increases, which were later reversed. In May 2007 CHRA Chairperson Mr Michael Davies (among others) was unlawfully arrested and detained for participating in a prayer meeting organized by the Save Zimbabwe. Four of our members were in May 2007 captured and tortured at the ZANUPF Harare provincial office for distributing fliers inviting residents to a public meeting. The local CHRA coordinating office that had been opened in Mbare in December 2006 was forcibly closed by a group of overzealous ZANU Pf activists who failed to tolerate the ideas that members were advancing to the community. In September 2007 sixty CHRA members were arrested and detained during a solidarity funeral service held in honor of an Operation Murambatsvina victim. All these instances show a high level of intolerance within Zimbabwe. These are, but a small fraction of examples of the impact of intolerance

Building tolerance and trust in diverse communities is not done overnight, but takes time and commitment. It requires access to education and information. Intolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: fear of the unknown, of the "other", (cultures, religions and nations). Intolerance is also closely linked to an exaggerated sense of self-worth and pride especially notions taught and learned at an early age. Therefore in coming years, as Zimbabweans we need to place greater emphasis on educating children about tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the same time unity must not be interpreted as conformity but peaceful co-existence regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or political persuasion among others.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) values tolerance as a building block for democracy. In this regard CHRA commits itself to providing a professional service based on tolerance of political, economic and social diversity. Residents from various political groups are encouraged to come together and help advocate for quality, effective and transparent local governance. CHRA encourages various political groups and the government of Zimbabwe and other stakeholder, to uphold principles of tolerance as the basis for development.

Fighting intolerance requires law

Fighting intolerance requires education

Fighting intolerance requires access to information

Fighting intolerance requires individual awareness

Fighting intolerance requires local solutions

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