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Letter to speaker of parliament on safety and security
MISA-Zimbabwe
July 29, 2011

To: Speaker of Parliament
Honorable Lovemore Moyo (MP)
Parliament of Zimbabwe
Nelson Mandela Avenue
HARARE

Dear Sir

RE: CONCERN ON THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS

The Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe) by copy of this letter humbly seeks to draw your respected attention to this serious matter pertaining to the reported assault and harassment of journalists Aaron Ufumeli and Levi Mukarati at the Parliament of Zimbabwe on 23 July 2011.

The journalists were reportedly assaulted while conducting their lawful professional duties during a scheduled public hearing on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill.

What is most disturbing about this incident is the fact that the assaults and harassment of the journalists occurred at the Parliament of Zimbabwe which is supposed to be a high security zone.

We humbly submit that the culprits should not be allowed to go scot-free as that gives them free reign and endangers the lives of Zimbabwean journalists especially those working for the private press as their safety and security cannot be guaranteed when conducting their lawful professional duties throughout the country.

In raising our concerns, we kindly refer you to Article 18 of the Global Political Agreement under which the inclusive government pledges to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of persons (journalists included).

Article 18.1 - Noting the easy resort to violence by political parties, State actors, Non-State actors and others in order to resolve political differences and achieve political ends

...

Article 18.3 - Recognising that violence dehumanises and engenders feelings of hatred and polarisation within the country.

Article 18.4 - Further recognising that violence undermines our collective independence as a people and our capacity to exercise our free will in making political choices.

(a) to promote the values and practices of tolerance, respect, non- violence and dialogue as means of resolving political differences;

(b) to renounce and desist from the promotion and use of violence, under whatever name called, as a means of attaining political ends;

(c) that the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book;

(d) that all political parties, other organisations and their leaders shall commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors and shall consistently appeal to their members to desist from violence;

(e) to take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions they control are not engaged in the perpetration of violence.

(f) that all civil society organisations of whatever description whether affiliated to a political party or not shall not promote or advocate for or use violence or any other form of intimidation or coercion to canvass or mobilise for or oppose any political party or to achieve any political end;

(g) to work together to ensure the security of all persons and property;

(h) to work together to ensure the safety of any displaced persons, their safe return home and their enjoyment of the full protection of the law.

(i) to refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or unfairly undermine each other.

(j) that while having due regard to the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the principles of the rule of law, the prosecuting authorities will expedite the determination as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution or keeping on remand of all persons accused of politically related offences arising out of or connected with the March and June 2008 elections.

As MISA-Zimbabwe we are therefore greatly concerned with the safety and security of
journalists in Zimbabwe and call upon your esteemed office to facilitate and institute remedial action that ensures that the security of journalists is adequately guaranteed as they conduct their lawful professional duties.

Yours sincerely,

Njabulo Ncube
National Chairperson
MISA-Zimbabwe

cc. The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
cc. The Prime Minister, The Right Honorable Morgan Tsvangirai
cc. The Deputy Prime Minister, Prof Arthur Mutambara
cc. Co-Ministers of Home Affairs
cc. Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity
cc. Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communications
cc. The National Co-ordinator Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee
cc. The SADC Facilitation Team

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