Rooftops Canada sent this Declaration to the 6 non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe, listed at the top of the declaration. It was written by the 7 organizations signing the Declaration.
The Declaration was delivered and discussed by the Canadian Zimbabwe Reference Group (ZimRef) with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and with the Canadian International Development Agency.
There are followup meetings with these Canadian Departments as well as with the Government.
Statement of Solidarity from the Canadian Zimbabwe Inter-Agency Reference Group ( ZimRef group) with the people of Zimbabwe.
April 15, 2008
Sokwanele,
WOZA,
Pambuzuka,
Kubatana,
Zimbabwe Situation,
NANGO
Zimbabwe finds itself at the crossroads once again! We the undersigned organizations would like to stand by our partners and express our solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe during this difficult time. Like everyone, we had hoped that the “harmonized” elections would bring relief and prosperity to this once great nation, and provide a conducive environment for healing, reconstruction and overall national development. Given the events that have unfolded since the 29th of March however, we are deeply concerned about the deteriorating political and economic situation.
We believe the people of Zimbabwe deserve a government that will uphold the tenets of democracy; a government committed to building national integrity; and indeed a government that will harness existing opportunities for equitable development. We therefore hope that justice will prevail, and the voice of the people will finally resonate above all resistance and controversy. We urge our partners and all the people of Zimbabwe to stand firm in what they believe and hold onto the hope that has brought them this far.
We will continue to watch the unfolding of events. We appeal to the South African Government, SADC and the international community to keep this nation on their radar and to continue to apply pressure on those that resist democratic change, until the will of the Zimbabwean people has prevailed.
In the meantime, we recognize that our partners on the ground are better placed to fully comprehend the impact of what is happening there. We will therefore depend on their judgment regarding the kind of support that is needed and the humanitarian needs in their respective areas of operation. We will endeavor to do our best to provide the necessary support until democratic renewal and restoration of the rule of law in Zimbabwe is accomplished. We will also continue to lobby our governments and the rest of the international community on Zimbabwe.
In Solidarity,
Canadian Labour Congress, Amnesty International Canada (English Speaking), CHF-Partners in Rural Development, Defence for Children International Canada, Rooftops Canada/Abri International, United Church of Canada, Oxfam Canada