To markante NGO-ledere anholdt i Zimbabwe
Politi i Zimbabwe anholder direktør og bestyrelsesforkvinde i NANGO, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke kalder det et tilbageslag for demokratiske kræfter i Zimbabwe.
27. oktober 2009Politiet i Victoria Falls har arresteret forkvinde Dadirai Chikwengo og direktøren Cephas Zinhumwe i NANGO, som er en paraplyorganisation for NGO’er i Zimbabwe og en af de centrale organisationer i Mellemfolkeligt Samvirkes strategiske arbejde i Zimbabwe. De to blev anholdt søndag den 25. oktober efter en ”Summer Scool” for en række NGO-direktører.
"Anholdelserne er et stærkt tilbageslag for de demokratiske kræfter i Zimbabwe. Det er forfærdeligt og uacceptabelt, at Mugabes folk igen bruger frygt og intimidering for at lukke munden på dem, som ønsker en folkelig opbakning til en forfatningsændring. Vores partnere i NANGO bliver brugt i den interne magtkamp, der foregår i samlingsregeringen, og det vil vi ikke acceptere", siger Frans Mikael Jansen, generalsekretær i Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke.
I følge oplysninger fra politiet i Victoria Falls er de to sigtet under POSA (Public Order and Security Act) for at holde et møde, som politiet opfatter for politisk. De to er i politiets varetægt. Mellemfolkeligt Samvirkes landechef i Zimbabwe har været i kontakt med Dadirai Chikwengo i fængslet.
Direktøren for Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Irene Petras, var også med ved Summer Scool-mødet, og hun repræsenterer de to.
Sommerskolen er en årligt tilbagevendende begivenhed organiseret af the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), som samler direktørerne fra NGOer i Zimbabwe med den hensigt, at de kan reflektere over deres arbejde, diskutere vejen frem som civilsamfund og forberede udtalelser angående Zimbabwes udvikling blandt andet.
Politianklagerne imod de to anholdte hænger sammen med en udtalelse, direktørerne har forfattet, hvor de anmoder om, at SADC (the Southern African Development Community) og AU (den Afrikanske Union) griber ind for at sikre, at the Global Political Agreement (GPA) bliver fuldt implementeret. SADC og AU er garanterne for aftalen.
Anholdelsen kommer lige i hælene på en række nyhedsartikler og ledere i de statskontrollerede medier, som angriber NGOerne og åbent stempler dem som Vestens og MDCs forlængede arm med det formål at få et regimeskifte.
NGO-ledere og andre medlemmer af civilsamfundet har sagt, at anholdelserne er af en ubehagelig karakter og designet til at afskrække civilsamfundets medlemmer fra at fortsætte deres arbejde, som bl.a. inkluderer kampen for demokratisering og den fulde implementering af GPA.
Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke forsøger ad forskellige kanaler at skabe opmærksomhed om sagen for at få de to frigivet. Indtil videre får de bl.a. assistance fra MS-ansatte og den anerkendte organisation Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Se udtalelsen efter Summer Scool-mødet nedenfor.
For flere kommentarer kontakt Frans Mikael Jansen, generalsekretær Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke tlf. 2028 0844
For yderligere informationer kontakt pressemedarbejder
Henriette Winther tlf. 7731 0043.
Declaration by NGO Directors on the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe
We the leaders of 120 Non Governmental Organisations working to enhance social, economic and political development in Zimbabwe, having met from the 23rd to the 24th of October 2009 in Victoria Falls on the occasion of the NGO Directors Summer School:
Gravely concerned about the continuing crisis in our country which is manifested by widespread food insecurity, high unemployment, outbreaks of diseases, lack of access to essential services, high migration rates, fear and denial of basic human rights,
Recalling, that the signing of the Global Political Agreement and the subsequent formation of the transitional Government of National Unity (GNU) gave hope to many people,
Noting the widely held anticipation that the participation of the main political parties in the Inclusive Government would end the polarisation of the country and that Zimbabweans would finally unite in a democratic and peaceful country in which the dignity of every human being and the rule of law would be respected and upheld,
Reiterating the NGO sector's demonstrable and long-standing commitment to contribute to progressive efforts to promote development in Zimbabwe in spite of the continued threats and incitement against representatives of the sector,
Acknowledging some slight improvements in humanitarian and economic conditions since the formation of the GNU,
Concerned about the growing list of challenges yet to be addressed or resolved by the Inclusive Government and thus requiring immediate attention - especially in regards to social service delivery, transitional justice, promotion and protection of human rights, constitutional reform, and Institutional reform,
Maintaining that the observance of the rule of law and separation of powers is non-negotiable and essential for the speedy recovery of our country and its re-integration into the regional and international community of nations,
Worried, that the current Inter-party crisis has arisen at a time when Zimbabwe requires a cohesive, accountable and democratic government to respond to amongst other urgent imperatives the predicted drought and deadly cholera outbreak,
Deeply disappointed by the non-action of the guarantors of the Inter Part Political Agreement and their continued unwillingness to perform their mandate and protect the people of Zimbabwe,
Further disappointed about the Inclusive Government?s failure to be accountable and transparent to the people of Zimbabwe about developments surrounding the 'pull-out /disengagement of the MDC-T' party from the Inclusive Government,
Hereby,
Resolve to insist via peaceful means for the Inclusive Government to fulfil its own stated obligations in the Inter-party Political Agreement to amongst other things establish a people-driven constitutional reform process, improve social service delivery, facilitate Institutional reforms and create economic stability,
Urge all concerned stakeholders to join the NGO sector in efforts to urgently pursue immediate and honest solutions to the ongoing crisis in the interests of cohesively addressing with purposefulness the suffering that the people face in Zimbabwe,
Call for the immediate and decisive intervention by SADC and the African Union as guarantors of the GPA in fulfilment of their responsibility to ensure the full implementation of the agreement and protect the people of Zimbabwe,
Insist on the urgent resumption of a people driven Constitutional reform process through people driven means in an environment permissive for the full enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms of speech, assembly and association,
Further insist on the Inclusive Government to bring national healing to the people of Zimbabwe through transitional justice mechanisms,
Issued by, Dadirai Chikwengo, NANGO Board Chairperson
For and on behalf of delegates to the NGO Directors Summer School
For further Information Contact:
Godwin Phiri (Board Secretary) 011396073