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Crackdown on civil society unacceptable
Movement
for Democratic Change
February
22, 2013
The MDC totally
condemns the current crackdown on pro-democracy institutions by
the State security forces.
The partisan and unprofessional
conduct being displayed by the police and army is totally unacceptable.
We note with displeasure the incessant attacks on non-governmental
organisations and other voices of dissent.
The confiscation
of radios, continued police raids and arrests of pro-democracy activists
at: Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), the National
Youth Development Trust (NYDT) and of late at the Zimbabwe
Peace Project (ZPP) and Zimbabwe
Election Support Network (ZESN) points to a serious indictment
of a free democratic environment which we envisage as we approach
the election period this year.
The MDC's position
is that the resurgence and obvious perpetuation of a culture of
impunity that has permeated the Zimbabwe body politic lately, is
totally unacceptable and should be stopped forthwith if this nation
is to move forward.
It is even more ridiculous
that such unpleasant developments are happening at the backdrop
of Zanu PF leader; Robert Mugabe's repeated calls for peace
and the need for violence free elections.
As much as Mugabe has
been declaring such good intentions, the behaviour of State institutions
and some of his party stalwarts points towards some very disturbing
irony.
The clear selective application
of the law and continued raids by the Zimbabwe Republic Police is
ridiculous and puts paid to our call for serious reforms of institutions,
including the security sector realignment before holding of the
next elections.
It is in light of such
unacceptable developments that the MDC reiterates its call for a
realignment of all institutions of the State which have a direct
bearing on the holding of free, fair and peaceful elections.
Our benchmarks
in Conditions for a Sustainable
Election in Zimbabwe (COSEZ) remain as follows;
1. The adoption and implementation
of an agreed new Constitution for Zimbabwe.
2. Reform of legislative
requirements for the elections:
a) Adoption
of a new Electoral
Act which incorporates, regional and international standards
governing the conduct of elections.
b) Media reforms that
include the issuing of community radio licences to impartial and
non partisan organisations.
c) Repeal of
all legislation that restricts the freedom of movement and association
in Zimbabwe including POSA,
AIPPA,
the Broadcasting
Services Act and the Presidential
Powers (Temporary Measures) Act.
d) No member of the uniformed
forces and intelligence service should participate in any way in
electioneering on behalf of any political party, individuals or
any other organisation.
3. The Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission to be in charge of all electoral processes including:
a) The Appointment of
non partisan and impartial staff to manage the affairs of the commission.
b) Preparing of a new
voter's roll.
c) Provide voter's
education on a national basis.
4. Official election
observers and monitors to be in place 6 months before and 6 months
after the election to:
a) Ensure the eradication
of state sponsored violence and intimidation.
b) Guarantee the secrecy,
security and integrity of the vote and the voter.
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