Call for Solidarity: Freedom for civic leaders and democracy in Zimbabwe

HIC

Source: International Alliance of Inhabitants
http://www.habitants.org

For several weeks the Zimbabwean government has carried out “Operation Murambatsvina”, which means “sweep away the garbage”, one of the largest demolition and eviction operations in recent memory.

The brutal attack on the leadership of the opposition, civic leaders and individual residents gathered for a prayer meeting organised by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign on Sunday 11 March 2007 at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield by State security agents on must inspire Zimbabweans to take the struggle a giant step forward. Save Zimbabwe is a grouping of
individuals and concerned citizens from all walks of life trying to find a lasting solution to the crisis of governance in Zimbabwe.

The Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) is shocked by the callous murder of Gift Tandare, the Chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in Glen View and the vicious attack of opposition and civil society leaders by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

The arrest of the opposition and civic leaders, including the Chairperson of CHRA Michael Jeffrey Davies by the police is an uncalled for attack on the citizenry of Zimbabwe, who are merely demanding their stolen democratic space, in this case, through a prayer meeting for divine intervention..

Israel Mabhoo, the CHRA Vice-Chairperson said: “The arrests cannot stop the struggle. This marks the beginning of a sustained Third Chimurenga struggle to liberate Zimbabwe from the bondage of Zanu PF after the end of colonial rule in 1980”.

“Zanu PF and even President Mugabe know that this was how the Second Chimurenga started in Zimbabwe,” he said. “The grievances are almost similar. The masses are driven by poverty, unemployment, high cost of living, dictatorship and a justified desire to end lawlessness.”

The resilience and bravery of the people demonstrated their resolute position on tyranny, abuse of power and corruption in government. The message is clear and unequivocal.

Not again shall members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other state security apparatus be allowed to attack helpless citizens in the name of restoring law and order. The ruling party utterances that the current wave of resistance is inspired by cash incentives are a fallacy and inane political gimmick.

The ruling ZANU PF and President Mugabe must be reminded that the liberation struggle was funded by known local businessman and other countries such as Russia and China and is the same way the current struggle and its demands will be funded. Such utterances are a mockery of the genuine history of liberation and will neither tarnish the image of, nor deter bonafide Zimbabweans in the fight for the restoration of democracy and good governance in Zimbabwe.

1.. The immediate release of the opposition and civic leaders, including Mike J. Davies, CHRA Chairperson.

2.. Access to medical care to the detainees

3.. The holding of elections in Harare in line with the High Court ruling by Justice Kamocha on 2 March 2007.

Failures to heed our demands, residents have resolved to consider various options that are at their disposal.

“CHRA for Enhanced Civic Participation in Local Government”
We urgently need people send faxes and email in solidarity to the following offices:

President Robert Mugabe
Munhumutapa Building
Samora Machel Avenue/3rd Street
Box 7700, Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Cde. K. Mohadi Minister of Home Affairs moha@gvt.co.zw

Embassies of Zimbabwe around the world
Embassy in Angola embzimbabwe@ebonet.net
Embassy in India envoy@zimhcindia.com
Embassy in Sweden and Norwegian mbuya@stockholm.mail.telia.com
Permanent Mission in Switzerland mission.zimbabwe@ties.itu.int
Embassy in Austria and Czechoslovakia z.vien@chello.at
Embassy in Malaysia zhck@tm.net.my
Embassy in Canada zim.highcomm@sympatico.ca
Embassy in Nigeria zimabuja@infoweb.abs.net
Embassy in Iran zimbabwe@neda.net
Embassy in Russia zimbabwe@rinet.ru
Permanent Representative in United Nations zimbabwe@un.int
Embassy in Ethiopia zimbabweembassy@telecom.net.et
Embassy in Yugoslavia zimbeg@eunet.yu
Embassy in China zimbei@163.bj.com
Embassy in Germany and Switzerland zimberlin@t-online.de
Embassy in Belgium zimbrussels@compuserve.com
Embassy in United States of America zimemb@erols.com
Embassy in Malawi zimhighcomllw@malawi.net
Embassy in Kuwait zimkuwait@hotmail.com
Embassy in United Kingdom and Ireland zimlondon@callnetuk.com
Embassy in Kenya zimna.@africanonline.co.ke
Embassy in France zimparis@compuserve.com
Embassy in South Africa zimpret@kiatic.net
Embassy in Italy zimrome.wolit@tiscalinet.it
Embassy in Japan zimtokyo@chive.ocn.ne.jp

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For details and comments please visit the website www.chra.co.zw

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ZIMBABWE: UN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES COURT INTERVENTION IN FAVOUR OF OPPOSITION LEADER

New York, Mar 13 2007 10:00AM
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Louise Arbour today

Welcomed the Zimbabwean High Court’s order that an opposition leader be provided immediately with all necessary medical treatment and brought before the Court or released after reports that he was seriously injured in police custody.

“I welcome the speed and firmness with which Zimbabwe”s courts have acted in the face of shocking reports of police abuse,” she said in a statement on Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

According to consistent reports, excessive use of force at a rally last Sunday resulted in one death and many casualties, including women and children. Several people, including five senior members of the MDC are in police custody. Mr. Tsvangirai was reportedly seriously injured as a result of beatings sustained in custody.

“This form of repression and intimidation of a peaceful assembly is unacceptable, and the loss of life makes this even more disturbing,” Ms. Arbour said. “I urge the Zimbabwean authorities to ensure an immediate, impartial and comprehensive investigation into these events. I encourage the courts to continue to discharge their responsibilities as guardians
of the rights of all Zimbabweans.”

Yesterday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Government to release opposition leaders being held by police and condemned the reported beatings they suffered in custody.

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POLICE SHOOT ACTIVISTS AT FUNERAL
Nehanda Radio Alerts for Zimbabweans
Tue, 13 Mar 2007

Police in Zimbabwe shot and wounded two opposition activists while they attended the wake of a compatriot shot dead when police crushed an anti-government rally, rally organisers said.

The incident was followed hours later by the assault of four office workers by detectives in a raid on the headquarters of the country’s main labour union, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).

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For more information, visit Zero Evictions Campaign Zimbabwe