Resolution on the Situation on Zimbabwe
We, Participants of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples‘ Rights,
Noting that the signing of the Global Political Agreement on the 15th of September 2008 created an opportunity to address the underlying causes of the crisis in Zimbabwe;
Noting that the political crisis in Zimbabwe remains unresolved;
Concerned about the inordinate delays in the implementation of the agreement;
Considering the worsening humanitarian and political crisis in Zimbabwe;
Further concerned that there are reports of renewed cases of politically motivated violence and collapse of the social service delivery system;
Alarmed that the authorities in Zimbabwe continue to fail and or neglect to take immediate measures to address the worsening social, economic and political crisis;
Observing that in the absence of a legitimate and functional government that receives full international recognition and assistance the deteriorating Zimbabwean crisis has potentially disastrous consequences for the country, the SADC and Africa as a whole;
Call on the African Commission to:
1. Adopt a resolution enjoining the AU and SADC, as guarantors of the Global Political Agreement, to ensure the immediate and conclusive implementation of the agreement;
2. Urge the AU and SADC to take measures ensuring immediate and unconditional resumption of humanitarian assistance, in particular, for the authorities in Zimbabwe to refrain from hindering the operations relief-aid agencies;
3. Urge the AU and SADC to impress upon the Zimbabwean authorities to take effective measures to stop all forms of politically motivated violence and allow for free political activity, including the opening up of space for the media and civil society;
4. Condemn the ongoing violence and torture taking place in Zimbabwe;
5. Request that a transitional authority be put in place in Zimbabwe as a matter of urgency;
6. Urge the government of Zimbabwe to make the realization of all human rights for all Zimbabweans a reality, viz. the right to food, basic education, health and sanitation, freedom of expression and movement;
7. Call for the immediate release of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) HRDs who have been in prison for over three weeks for demonstrating in Bulawayo for economic and social rights.
Done in Abuja, November 9th, 2008
