Resolution on Zimbabwe
We, participants at the forum on the participation of NGOs in the 48th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights,
Concerned by the human rights situation in Zimbabwe that remains largely unchanged despite the formation of the government of national unity;
Concerned by the resurgence of politically motivated human rights violence during the Constitutional making process;
Noting the escalating calls for elections in 2011 by the principals in the government despite the absence of meaningful reforms in the electoral process in Zimbabwe;
Alarmed by the rise in political tension and intolerance following the calls for elections in 2011;
Considering that the Government of Zimbabwe has not brought to account perpetrators of the 2008 election violence and the absence of effective remedies for the victims;
Acknowledging that the key element in the exercise of democracy is the holding of free and fair elections;
Call upon the African Commission to:
1. Urge the government of Zimbabwe to uphold Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights;
2. Call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure accountability against perpetrators of politically motivated violence committed during the 2008 elections and ensure effective remedies to survivors of such violations;
3. Call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to effect genuine electoral reforms in line with the Declaration by the African Commission on principles governing democratic elections in Africa;
4. Urge the Government of Zimbabwe to respect international and regional institutions and mechanisms including the recommendations of the African Commission;
5. Call upon the African Union and SADC to be guarantors of the GPA in Zimbabwe to ensure that before the conducting of any new election, the government of Zimbabwe creates a conducive environment for citizens of Zimbabwe to freely participate in the governance of their country.
Done at Banjul, November 9th, 2010
