DOCSLIB.ORG

P5 TA(2003)0066 Human Rights in Zimbabwe

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
P5 TA(2003)0066 Human Rights in Zimbabwe P5_TA(2003)0066 Human rights in Zimbabwe European Parliament resolution on human rights in Zimbabwe The European Parliament, – having regard to its previous resolutions of 13 April 20001, 18 May 20002, 6 July 20003, 15 March 20014, 6 September 20015, 13 December 20016, 14 March 20027, 4 July 20028 and 5 September 20029 on the situation in Zimbabwe, A. whereas the EU Common Position of 18 February 2002 (due to be renewed by 18 February 2003) introduced targeted sanctions against the Mugabe regime in recognition of the worsening repression of the Zimbabwean population, and includes a travel ban on senior members of ZANU-PF, B. whereas political oppression in Zimbabwe has intensified, and the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, its Secretary-General Welshman Ncube, and Renson Gasela MP have now been put on trial in Zimbabwe on spurious charges of treason, C. whereas Zimbabwe is no longer a democratic country, as the parliamentary, presidential and all subsequent local elections have been characterised by intimidation, repression, voting fraud and state-sponsored political violence, and fundamental human rights are systematically abused, D. whereas 7.2 million Zimbabweans - over half the population - are on the brink of starvation, and government-controlled food is being denied to those unable to produce a ZANU-PF membership card, E. whereas the overall economic situation is spiralling downwards with unemployment at 70%, inflation at over 100% and only 50% of the land that was once farmed in Zimbabwe actually under cultivation, F. whereas supporters of the MDC, including MPs, who have been arrested are reporting increasingly violent police interrogation tactics, including torture such as beatings, electric shock treatment, and poisoning, 1 OJ C 40, 7.2.2001, p. 425. 2 OJ C 59, 23.2.2001, p. 241. 3 OJ C 121, 24.4.2001, p. 394. 4 OJ C 343, 5.12.2001, p. 304. 5 OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002, p. 339. 6 OJ C 177 E, 25.7.2002, p. 305. 7 P5_TA(2002)0131. 8 P5_TA(2002)0376. 9 P5_TA(2002)0412. G. whereas Mugabe's youth militia are immune from prosecution despite inflicting widespread intimidation and violence on innocent civilians, H. whereas Robert Mugabe has been invited to the Franco-African summit to be held in Paris on 19 February 2003, I. whereas the European Parliament has consistently called for the widening and rigorous enforcement of sanctions, as well as other measures to make international action against the Mugabe regime more effective, J. whereas forthcoming events will be crucial in terms of increasing pressure on the Mugabe regime, such as the review of Zimbabwe's status within the Commonwealth, the question of how to implement EU sanctions in relation to the EU-Africa Summit, and expected UN consideration of the situation in Zimbabwe, K. whereas South Africa in particular, as Zimbabwe's most powerful neighbour and economic partner, has the opportunity and responsibility to show leadership in helping bring about urgent change for the better in Zimbabwe, L. whereas the EU is committed to maintaining close relations with its ACP partners, and working with them and with the wider international community to find a common approach so as to re-establish democracy and put an end to the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe, M. whereas African nations must not allow their relations with the countries of the European Union to be held hostage by the Mugabe regime, and it is therefore in the interests of the African Union and SADC to take urgent action along with the rest of the international community to bring about a rapid change for the better in Zimbabwe, N. whereas a significant part of the UN Panel of Experts' October 2002 report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo refers to the illicit role of government-backed Zimbabwean interests, and gives startling evidence of how the actions of Mugabe's corrupt henchmen impact not just on their own people, but also on neighbouring countries; whereas the speaker of Zimbabwe's Parliament, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was cited in this report, O. whereas opportunities to circumvent the EU's travel ban have been exploited by leading members of the Mugabe regime and the Council has failed to prevent this, P. whereas the European Parliament itself took action in November 2002 to refuse access to parliamentary premises to two banned Zimbabweans who had been granted visas by the Belgian authorities, 1. Condemns the lack of coherence in EU policy, and calls upon the Council and the governments of the Member States not to seek exemptions from the EU's own sanctions regime; 2. Calls upon the Council, when reviewing its Common Position of 18 February 2002, to ensure that sanctions against the Mugabe regime continue without interruption and without exception, and to outline, with absolute clarity, how the visa ban on ZANU-PF members must be applied; 3. Insists that the spurious and unsubstantiated charges against Morgan Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube and Renson Gasela should be dropped and that the systematic violence and intimidation against opponents of the Mugabe regime must cease; 4. Calls for a representative government to be freely and fairly chosen in properly managed and internationally monitored elections, as a matter of urgency; 5. Condemns the utilisation of food aid as a political weapon against opposition supporters; asks the government of Zimbabwe to guarantee food distribution to the population regardless of political affiliation; calls on the international community, including the UN, to take a more interventionist approach to food distribution, to provide protection for safe and fair delivery of food to those who need it, and to work with Zimbabwe's neighbours who are confronted with refugee problems; 6. Calls upon the UN to appoint a Special Rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Zimbabwe; 7. Calls on the Council and Commission to extend the existing sanctions and to impose sanctions on those business people responsible for financing the ZANU-PF regime; calls for the introduction of additional measures, including rescinding the rights of residence in Europe of those covered by EU sanctions and stopping their family members accessing employment and educational institutions in the EU; 8. Calls yet again upon the Commission and Council to provide more information on the freezing of the bank accounts of those subject to EU sanctions; 9. Calls for consideration of wider sanctions against the Zimbabwe regime, including an international sports and cultural boycott, but none which would increase the suffering of the population of Zimbabwe; 10. Praises the courage of the Zimbabwean cricketers Andy Flower and Henry Olonga who defied Mugabe, and the stance of the England cricket team who have refused to play in Zimbabwe; 11. Calls for increased awareness among the EU and its ACP partners and in the wider international community of the MDC's wish for the EU sanctions to be rigorously implemented, including the call by MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai for the stringent application of the visa ban; 12. Criticises the invitation to Mugabe to attend the Franco-African summit in February 2003; 13. Insists that the Council refuse a visa to Mugabe, and any other banned Zimbabweans, to attend the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon, and regrets that an opportunity for EU-Africa dialogue is again being jeopardised by the problems caused by the Zimbabwe regime; 14. Calls, in accordance with the Cotonou Agreement, for questions of good governance and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, focusing on Zimbabwe, to feature in all EU discussions in African countries and their regional organisations, and not be merely reserved for dialogue with Southern Africa; 15. Urges President Mbeki of South Africa, as the current President of the African Union, and President Dos Santos, as Chairman of SADC, to take the initiative in bringing pressure to bear on Zimbabwe through effective regional initiatives and to demand fresh presidential elections in Zimbabwe under international supervision; 16. Urges the Commonwealth to renew its suspension of Zimbabwe; 17. Rejects any suggestion that the substitution of President Mugabe by Emmerson Mnangagwa would solve Zimbabwe's problems, since the latter has a clear responsibility for the state of Zimbabwe's economy and its administration, and is implicated in the political violence and election-rigging; 18. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the ACP-EU Council, the government and Parliament of Zimbabwe, the UN Secretary-General, the Secretary-General of the African Union and the Secretary-General of SADC. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • University of St. Thomas Presents Morgan Tsvangirai and Roy Bennett Walk with Me: ‘The Struggle for Freedom and Hope in Zimbabwe’
    News Release Contact: Sandra Soliz 713-906-7912 [email protected] University of St. Thomas presents Morgan Tsvangirai and Roy Bennett Walk with Me: ‘The Struggle for Freedom and Hope in Zimbabwe’ WHAT: University of St. Thomas presents two of the most effective opposition leaders in Zimbabwe today, Morgan Tsvangirai and Roy Bennett, discussing the current political and social situation in Zimbabwe. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 WHERE: Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon University of St. Thomas Parking available in the Moran Center, Graustark and West Alabama BACKGROUND: • Zimbabwe, 10 years ago the breadbasket of Africa, now faces mass starvation. Land seizures, slum “clearance” and price controls have left fields brown, stores empty and cities dark. People have no jobs, no transport, and no food. • Life expectancy for men has fallen from 60 to 37, lowest in the world. For women, it is lower, 34. Twelve million people once lived in Zimbabwe; more than three million have fled. • The Movement for Democratic Change, led by former union leader Morgan Tsvangirai, opposing these policies, won 58 of the 120 elected seats in Parliament in the last largely free elections of 2000. The Government of President Robert Mugabe closed newspapers, banned political meetings, arrested its opponents. • Today Zimbabwe’s African neighbors, as well as the nations of Europe and America are calling for free and fair elections, but Mugabe stubbornly clings to power. more University of St. Thomas… A Shining Star in the Heart of Houston since 1947 3800 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 713.522.7911 www.stthom.edu University of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe: the Role of Economics, Diplomacy, and Regionalism
    SMALL WARS JOURNAL smallwarsjournal.com Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe: The Role of Economics, Diplomacy, and Regionalism Logan Cox and David A. Anderson Introduction Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia) shares a history common to most of Africa: years of colonization by a European power, followed by a war for independence and subsequent autocratic rule by a leader in that fight for independence. Zimbabwe is, however, unique in that it was once the most diverse and promising economy on the continent. In spite of its historical potential, today Zimbabwe ranks third worst in the world in “Indicators of Instability” leading the world in Human Flight, Uneven Development, and Economy, while ranking high in each of the remaining eight categories tracked (see figure below)1. Zimbabwe is experiencing a “brain drain” with the emigration of doctors, engineers, and agricultural experts, the professionals that are crucial to revitalizing the Zimbabwean economy2. If this was not enough, 2008 inflation was running at an annual rate of 231 million percent, with 80% of the population lives below the poverty line.3 Figure 1: Source: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4350&page=0 1 Foreign Policy, “The Failed States Index 2008”, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4350&page=0, (accessed August 29, 2008). 2 The Fund for Peace, “Zimbabwe 2007.” The Fund for Peace. http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=280&Itemid=432 (accessed September 30, 2008). 3 BBC News, “Zimbabwean bank issues new notes,” British Broadcasting Company. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7642046.stm (accessed October 3, 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • Roy Leslie Bennett V. Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa
    REPORTABLE (76) Judgment No SC 75/05 Civil Application No 16/05 ROY LESLIE BENNETT v (1) EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA (in his capacity as the SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE) (2) PAUL MANGWANA (3) JOYCE MUJURU (4) CHIEF MANGWENDE (5) WELSHMAN NCUBE (6) TENDAI BITI (7) THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL SUPREME COURT OF ZIMBABWE CHIDYAUSIKU CJ, SANDURA JA, CHEDA JA, MALABA JA & GWAUNZA JA HARARE, MAY 26, 2005 & MARCH 9, 2006 J. J. Gauntlett, SC., with him A.P. de Bourbon SC, for the applicant S.J.Chihambakwe, with him J Mhlanga, for the first, second, third and fourth respondents R. Gatsi, for the seventh respondent (intervener) CHIDYAUSIKU CJ: This application is brought in terms of s 24 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Section 24 of the Constitution provides that any person who alleges that the Declaration of Rights has been, is being, or is likely to be, contravened in relation to him may apply to the Supreme Court for redress. The applicant, who was at the relevant time a Member of Parliament, assaulted Mr Patrick Chinamasa, MP, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and Leader of the House (hereinafter referred to as “Chinamasa”). The assault took place in Parliament while it was in session. He was charged with, and found guilty of, contempt of Parliament. He was sentenced, by 2 S.C. 75/05 Parliament, to fifteen months’ imprisonment of which three months’ imprisonment was suspended on certain conditions. The applicant challenges that conviction and punishment on the following four grounds - 1. The proceedings violated his constitutional and fundamental right to a fair hearing by an independent and impartial court or other adjudicating body protected by s 18(1),(2) and (9) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (“the Constitution”).
    [Show full text]
  • Robert Mugabe's Africa
    Robert Mugabe’s Africa: Zimbabwe as a Failed State Giannina A. Murphy INTRODUCTION Independence, equality and freedom: these democratic ideals were at the heart of the revolutionary rebellion of Black Zimbabweans against the British colonial power of Rhodesia. The rebellion leader, Robert Mugabe, was initially thought to embody these ideals as a revolutionary hero and became Zimbabwe’s first President upon independence in 1980 (CIA Factbook 2011). However, the state is now fully incapacitated due to rampant government corruption and economic failure. This paper will define a “failed state”, concentrating on the Zimbabwean economy and political dictatorship under Robert Mugabe. The democratic spirit of rebellion has not been quelled in all Zimbabweans, as evidenced by the courageous actions of Mike Campbell and Ben Freeth against Mugabe’s Fast Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP). In spite of the indisputable failure of economic reforms like the FTLRP, the Indigenization Act of 2008 has condemned the utilization of Foreign Direct Investment to rebuild the economy as a means of stabilizing this failed state. THEME ANALYSIS: THE FAILED STATE State failure encompasses a wide variety of characteristics, affecting the social, economic and political spheres of a nation. Zimbabwe’s classification as a failed state is indisputable, for the country ranks #4 globally on the Foreign Policy’s Failed States Index of 2010 (Foreign Policy 2010). This comparative index ranks 177 countries based on multiple categories that signify a “failed state” (Foreign Policy 2010). The index rankings are determined by an analysis of various indicators across all aspects of state function. Pervasive government corruption, de-legitimization of the state, persistence of violence, ineffective rule of law and uneven economic growth all contribute to the state becoming “governmentally empty”, the most universal feature of a failed state (The Fund for Peace 2010; class notes 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress
    CRS INSIGHT Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress November 22, 2017 (IN10826) | Related Authors Nicolas Cook Katherine Z. Terrell | Nicolas Cook, Specialist in African Affairs ([email protected], 7-0429) Katherine Z. Terrell, Fellow in African Affairs ([email protected], 7-5050) In mid-November 2017, spurred by an intra-party rivalry within the ruling Zimbabwe National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party to succeed President Robert Mugabe, 93, the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) seized control of key national political and military facilities. The ZDF then initiated efforts to force Mugabe to resign, reverse Mugabe's recent dismissal of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in favor of Mugabe's wife, Grace Mugabe, and halt ZANU-PF's purge of Mnangagwa's supporters. (See CRS Insight IN10819, Zimbabwe: A Military-Compelled Transition?, and for further Zimbabwe background, CRS Report R44633, Zimbabwe: Current Issues and U.S. Policy.) ZANU-PF removed Mugabe as party leader, appointed Mnangagwa as his interim successor, and expelled Grace Mugabe and several of her allies. Preempting an impeachment vote, Mugabe resigned November 21. Zimbabweans' initial reactions to the ZDF intervention appeared broadly positive. They turned out for large, peaceful demonstrations, and, after the resignation, celebrations. International responses to the military intervention have been cautious: the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the United States—which generally oppose coups—initially called for constitutional
    [Show full text]
  • Political Violence Report November 2001
    ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT NOVEMBER 2001 December 2001 A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Summary Attacks on farm workers residing on invaded farms, ongoing since the end of February 2000, were reported to the Human Rights Forum in November. Since January this year, more than 70 000 farm workers have been displaced and countless others have been beaten and tortured whilst others lost their homes in arson attacks. Once again the ZRP was been found wanting in its protection and reaction to violations concerning farm workers and MDC supporters. In one recorded case, policemen in Kadoma arrived at the local Zanu-PF offices and witnessed the torture of two MDC members but left without rendering assistance. However 14 MDC members were arrested for the murder of Bulawayo war veteran’s chairman, Cain Nkala. In Harare members of the ZRP unlawfully arrested and tortured two MDC officials from Zengeza, accusing them of having had some involvement in Cain Nkala’s murder, despite their being in Harare at the time. The two were released without being charged having been interrogated about the operations of their party. Six deaths were recorded in November. A list of all deaths that have been reported since January 2001 is given at the end of the report. November 2001 Totals 2 Cumulative Totals January-November 2001 Sources: Amani Trust medical assessments, HR Forum legal statements, CFU reports and newspaper reports. Notes to Tables: The following categories have been changed and/or expanded due to the nature and the volume of crimes.
    [Show full text]
  • MDC – Harare – Bulawayo – Council Elections 2006 – Gukurahundi
    Refugee Review Tribunal AUSTRALIA RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE Research Response Number: ZWE31570 Country: Zimbabwe Date: 20 April 2007 Keywords: Zimbabwe – MDC – Harare – Bulawayo – Council Elections 2006 – Gukurahundi This response was prepared by the Country Research Section of the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RRT within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Questions 1. Does the MDC have an office in Harare? 2. How many branches are there in the province of Bulawayo? 3. How many wards are there? 4. Can you provide information on the leaders of the MDC in the province of Bulawayo? 5. Can you provide information on the activities of the MDC in the province of Bulawayo in 2006? 6. Can you provide information on council elections in Bulawayo around October 2006? 7. Did Zanu PF lose seats in the council elections in Bulawayo in October 2006? 8. Can you provide information about Gukurahunde? RESPONSE 1. Does the MDC have an office in Harare? The MDC headquarters are located in Harvest House, the corner of Angwa Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue in Harare. Angwa Street is parallel to First Street. Attached is a map of Harare, showing Angwa Street, First Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue (Africa South of the Sahara 2003 2003, Europa Publications, 32nd edition, London, p.1190 – Attachment 1; Mawarire, Matseliso 2007, ‘Police left a trail of destruction at Harvest House’, Zimdaily.com website, 29 March http://zimdaily.com/news/117/ARTICLE/1480/2007-03-29.html – Accessed 30 March 2007 – Attachment 2; ‘Harare’ 1998, Hotels-Tours-Safaris.com website http://www.hotels-tours-safaris.com/zimbabwe/harare/images/citymap.gif – Accessed 30 March 2007 – Attachment 3).
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Zimbabwe – Researched and Compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 19 October 2016 1.Please Provide Inform
    Zimbabwe – Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 19 October 2016 1.Please provide information on the treatment of PDP members in Zimbabwe. 2. What is the relationship between the PDP party and the MDC party? 3. What is the relationship between the PDP party and the Zanu PF party? A report published by the International Crisis Group, in a section titled “The Shifting Political Landscape” (paragraph headed “Opposition Doldrums”), states: “The main opposition MDC-T remains fragmented. Its former secretary general, Tendai Biti, and treasurer general, Elton Mangoma, broke ranks with Tsvangirai to form MDC Renewal in August 2014. Mangoma split from that party in June 2015 to establish the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe. That September, MDC Renewal relaunched itself as the People’s Democratic Party.” (International Crisis Group (29 February 2016) Zimbabwe: Stranded in Stasis, p.10) An article from Africa Confidential, in a paragraph headed “'Mob-ocracy'”, states: “The PDP is led by Tendai Biti, former MDC Secretary General and respected Finance Minister in the coalition government with ZANU-PF before he broke away in 2014. Its Deputy Secretary General, Tongai Matutu, reacted angrily to the MDC-T's new attitude towards a coalition and called its protests a form of 'mob-ocracy'. The PDP has abandoned rallies after small turnouts but has been busy producing weekly policy briefs for journalists and the public via email. Much like the breakaway MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube, its impact on the political arena has been marginal.” (Africa Confidential (29 April 2016) Despite mobilising thousands against the government, the opposition is failing to exploit the ruling party's weakness and division) A report from Voice of America Zimbabwe states: “Five opposition parties formed a coalition on Tuesday that will challenge President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party in the 2018 general elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe: Democracy on the Line
    ZIMBABWE: DEMOCRACY ON THE LINE HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2000 Serial No. 106±138 Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/internationalÐrelations U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 66±616 CC WASHINGTON : 2000 VerDate 11-MAY-2000 08:50 Sep 21, 2000 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 66616.TXT HINTREL1 PsN: HINTREL1 COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa TOM LANTOS, California HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois HOWARD L. BERMAN, California DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American DAN BURTON, Indiana Samoa ELTON GALLEGLY, California MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina ROBERT E. ANDREWS, New Jersey DANA ROHRABACHER, California ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois SHERROD BROWN, Ohio EDWARD R. ROYCE, California CYNTHIA A. MCKINNEY, Georgia PETER T. KING, New York ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida STEVE CHABOT, Ohio PAT DANNER, Missouri MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD, South EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama Carolina BRAD SHERMAN, California MATT SALMON, Arizona ROBERT WEXLER, Florida AMO HOUGHTON, New York STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, New Jersey TOM CAMPBELL, California JIM DAVIS, Florida JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York EARL POMEROY, North Dakota BILL LUTHER, Minnesota WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina GREGORY W.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe's Power Sharing Deal
    Zimbabwe’s power-sharing deal Debra Dalton and Estela Vidal Malvar 1. The application: This study was carried out as a group project by students, and uses all three sides of the Power Cube – particularly spaces and forms of power – to explore an extraordinary political process, removed from citizens and normal political practice but with huge implications for both. 2. The case: In early 2009 a power-sharing deal was agreed between the ruling and key opposition parties in Zimbabwe, keeping Robert Mugabe in power with his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, becoming Prime Minister. This deal was struck following a violently contested election process in 2008 in which Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change apparently beat Mugabe and his Zanu PF party in the first round, an outcome which Mugabe refused to accept.1 The arrangement splits power between the two parties by allocating them specific rights in decision making and over particular government modies, and to each appoint a proportion of Cabinet roles. The process of arriving at this settlement took place behind closed doors, in a forum of SADC (the Southern African Development Community) with South African President Thabo Mbeki taking the key mediating role. Neither Zimbabwean civil society actors nor international donors – with both of whom Zanu-PF had a historically tense and suspicious relationship – were included in the process, and the decisions reached were made without broader consultation with the Zimbabwean population. 3. The analysis: An invited/closed space: Firstly, the power-sharing deal took place in a very particular kind of space. Formally it was an ‘invited’ space, in that Thabo Mbeki invited the players to come together under the umbrella of SADC in order to resolve their differences.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM) Emerged, but Then Disintegrated Rapidly
    African Studies Quarterly | Volume 7, Issues 2 & 3 | Fall 2003 Opposition Politics in Independent Zimbabwe LIISA LAAKSO Abstract: Zimbabwe has implemented a multi-party system on a universal franchise for more than two decades. This era has witnessed consolidation of power into the hands of the ruling ZANU party and its leader Robert Mugabe, and a gradual evolution of political crises. All general elections have shown support for the opposition among the voters. However, the opposition has changed a lot. Between 1980 and 1987 there was a strong regional party, ZAPU, which transformed from a partner of the ruling party to repressed dissident. The second period after the unity between ZANU and ZAPU witnessed mobilisation in defence of multipartyism and against corruption, and the birth of a populist party ZUM. ZUM’s disintegration was followed by massive electoral apathy in 1995. The third period started with civic organization for constitutional reform in 1997 and led to the emergence of the MDC, a wide coalition of interest groups united by their aim to seize ZANU from power. State responses to opposition politics help to clarify its unstable nature. Introduction Consolidation of the authoritarian power of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in independent Zimbabwe has not proceeded through the withering away of dissent. All general elections have witnessed support for other parties. But the parties and their support base have changed radically. On the one hand this reflects the government’s different strategies to silence its critics. On the other hand it tells about changes in Zimbabwean society itself.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwe Apr2001
    ZIMBABWE ASSESSMENT April 2001 Country Information and Policy Unit CONTENTS I SCOPE OF DOCUMENT 1.1 - 1.5 II GEOGRAPHY 2.1 - 2.4 III HISTORY 3.1 - 3.40 Foundations of Zimbabwe 3.1 - 3.5 Matabeleland Insurgency 1983-87 3.6 - 3.8 Elections 1995 & 1996 3.9 - 3.10 Movement for Democratic Change 3.11 - 3.12 Constitutional Referendum, February 2000 3.13 - 3.14 Parliamentary Elections, June 2000 3.15 - 3.23 - Background 3.15 - 3.16 - Election Violence & Farm Occupations 3.17 - 3.18 - Election Results 3.19 - 3.23 Post-Election Violence & Intimidation 3.24 - 3.34 Bikita West By-election 3.35 - 3.36 Legal Challenges to Election Results 3.37 - 3.40 IV INSTRUMENTS OF THE STATE 4.1 - 4.20 Political System: 4.1 - 4.14 - Administrative Structure 4.1 - 4.3 - ZANU-PF 4.4 - Movement for Democratic Change 4.5 - 4.7 - ZANU-Ndonga 4.8 - Liberty Party/Liberty Party of Zimbabwe 4.9 - 4.11 - Other Minor Parties 4.12 - 4.14 Legal Framework & Judiciary 4.15 - 4.20 V HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION HUMAN RIGHTS: INTRODUCTION 5.1 - 5.4 Introduction 5.1 - 5.2 Human Rights Organisations in Zimbabwe 5.3 - 5.4 HUMAN RIGHTS: SPECIFIC GROUPS 5.5 - 5.32 Women 5.5 - 5.10 Children 5.11 - 5.13 Ethnic Groups: 5.14 - 5.26 - Shona 5.14 - Ndebele 5.15 - 5.16 - Whites 5.17 - 5.23 - Asians 5.24 - Other Ethnic Minorities 5.25 - 5.26 Homosexuals 5.27 - 5.32 - Canaan Banana's trial 5.32 HUMAN RIGHTS: OTHER ISSUES 5.33 - 5.83 Freedom of Assembly & Political Association 5.33 Freedom of Speech & of the Press 5.34 - 5.49 Freedom of Religion 5.50 - 5.54 Witchcraft 5.55 - 5.57 Freedom of Travel 5.58 - 5.59 Military Service 5.60 - 5.65 Prison Conditions 5.66 - 5.69 Health Issues: 5.70 - 5.77 - General 5.70 - 5.72 - HIV/AIDS 5.73 - 5.77 Land Reform 5.78 - 5.83 ANNEX A: CHRONOLOGY ANNEX B: MAIN POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ANNEX C: PROMINENT PEOPLE PAST & PRESENT ANNEX D: FULL ELECTION RESULTS JUNE 2000 (hard copy only) BIBLIOGRAPHY I.
    [Show full text]