Press statement on Government of Zimbabwe threats to deregister Civil Society Organisations and continued human rights violations

 

Civil Society Organisations operating in Zimbabwe recalling recent public statements by key government officials threatening the wholesale de-registration, revocation of licences and/or closure of Non Governmental and  Civil Society Organisations,

 

Mindful of the fact that political statements by representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe have in the past been the basis of several acts of repression such as Operation Murambatsvina,

 

Aware that Zimbabwe is currently facing humanitarian, socio-economic and political crises whose resolution require the unrestricted participation of all stakeholders including Civil Society in consensus based and home-grown plans of action,

 

Reaffirming the importance of Civil Society in efforts to resolve the multi-faceted and complex challenges obtaining in Zimbabwe,

 

Considering that under the provisions of international treaties to which Zimbabwe is party to such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic Social and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the Constitution of Zimbabwe, citizens and organised Civil Society are entitled to an environment in which they can actively and freely pursue their social, economic, cultural and political development,

 

Mindful of the obligation of the Government of Zimbabwe under the UN Declaration of the Right to Development to formulate, adopt and implement the appropriate policy, legislative and other measures to ensure the meaningful participation of citizens in national development processes,

 

Concerned at the existence of serious obstacles to the existence of a vibrant Civil Society as well as to the unrestricted participation by citizens in organised social action and civic and political activities,

 

Considering that inclusive democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law, commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential to the existence of a vibrant Civil Society that is able to contribute to national development,

 

Raises the following issues

1. On the threats

 

1.1 The pronouncements by the Minister of Information in the last few weeks indicate the disconnect between the political and administrative functions of the ruling party and government, where controversial policies are discussed and passed at a party -political level with the total exclusion of key stakeholders.

 

1.2 The pronouncements could also be interpreted in the context of the 2008 Elections in which the GoZ wants to reincarnate the paranoia they instilled in civil society organisations in 2005 over the NGO Bill.

 

1.3 Civil Society takes the threats seriously because of precedent and past experiences. The GoZ rarely makes empty threats. The bombings of the Daily News, the VOP and even Operation Murambatsvina came in the wake of similar pronouncements.

 

1.4 Thus as we approach the election period, civil society will remain vigilant, united and defiant if ever such a situation were to arise.

 

1.5 The feasibility of a blanket deregistration and or closure of NGOs is far fetched in terms of its legality and is essentially an abrogation of the rights of Zimbabwean citizens and a denial of the fundamental freedoms of assembly and association.

 

2. On the Consequences of the threats

 

The blanket deregistration and/or closure of NGOs would have several negative repercussions and will worsen the already dire humanitarian and human rights conditions in Zimbabwe. Consequences of such a decision would include the following:

 

2.1   The democratic space and citizen participation in political and decision making processes will be further constricted

 

2.2  The removal of the watchdog function of Civil Society would be taken away. At present Civil Society records, documents, and investigates human rights violations, which are mainly perpetrated by the state security agents and sometimes by liberation war veterans and some sections of ZANU PF supporters.

 

2.3   The monitoring of the pre-election conditions and civic awareness raising programmes by Civil Society will be curtailed

 

2.4  Provision of and access to support facilities such as medical aid, rehabilitation and other psychosocial support to victims of torture and politically motivated violence would be limited

 

2.5  The provision of anti retroviral therapy and distribution of humanitarian support according to International Humanitarian standards would be difficult as well, with distinct possibilities of the politicisation of such critical functions.

 

2.6  Legitimate citizens’ action such as peaceful defiance, public meetings and civic awareness programmes will be further criminalised

 

3. Civil Society demands

 

3.1  That the government of Zimbabwe must recognise and facilitate the full participation of Civil Society and other stakeholders in collective efforts to resolve the prevailing crises in the country.

 

3.2  That the government urgently addresses the following obstacles to the realisation of a positive and enabling operating environment for Civil Society,

 

3.2.1        An end to current sustained attacks on Civil Society organisations and the victimisation of human rights defenders, activists and citizens.

 

3.2.2        The facilitation of unrestricted implementation of critical NGO operations such as public meetings, food distribution, civic education and the protection and promotion of human rights

 

3.2.3        The repeal of repressive pieces of legislation that infringe on the enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms of speech, assembly and association

3.2.4        The reform of the present constitution through a people driven and consultative process as a critical step towards the establishment of a democratic dispensation

 

3.2.4        A recommitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and the facilitation of the full enjoyment of human rights through, among other things, an independent judiciary and a return to the rule of law

 

3.2.5        Full and prompt investigations into past and present human rights violations, full compensation, restitution and rehabilitation of victims of organised violence and censure those state security officers implicated in the attacks on civic and political activists.

 

3.2.6        Removal of impunity and a commitment to the adherence to resolutions and findings of regional and international treaty bodies in particular the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Fact Finding Mission Report in 2002 and findings in communications that have been determined by the African Commission.

 

For further information you can contact the following:

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, 011 838 9642 0R 073 849 6205

 

Tendai Chabvuta, Human Rights Forum, Tel: 263-912274357, research@hrforum.co.zw

Madock Chivasa, National Constitutional Assembly, Tel: 263-912904492, email: spokesperson@ncazimbabwe.org

Fambai Ngirande, National Association of Non Governmental Organisations,

263-912745710, email: fambai@nango.org.zw

Elijah Chiwota, Media Institute of Southern Africa – Zimbabwe Chapter, Tel: 263-4-776165/746838 email: misa@mweb.co.zw