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Statement
by the Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe
Botswana Civil Society Coalition
May 29, 2006
The Botswana
Council of Churches (BCC), The Botswana Council of Non
- Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), The Botswana Federation
of Secondary School Teachers (BOFESETE), Ditshwanelo -
The Botswana Centre for Human Rights and The Media
Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana Chapter
are concerned that there does not seem to be an end in sight to
the crisis in Zimbabwe . Instead, what is apparent is an ever-worsening
situation which has led to economic hardships and other miseries
for the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe.
As members of various civil society organisations in Botswana ,
we have therefore resolved to act in solidarity with the people
of Zimbabwe and have formed a solidarity coalition. Ditshwanelo
is coordinating the activities of the solidarity coalition.
The Government
of Zimbabwe has clamped down on those it deems critical of its policies.
These include the independent press, members of the judiciary who
choose to interpret the law independently, the clergy, trade unions
and other civil society organisations. In May 2005, citizens had
their homes razed to the ground in what the Government of Zimbabwe
termed "Operation
Murambatsvina", reminiscent of the forced removals
of the Apartheid era in South Africa . This "Operation"
has led to homelessness and further exacerbated the suffering of
the people of Zimbabwe .
These and many
other violations of the rights of Zimbabwean people are carried
out by a government which has chosen to disregard the rule of law,
as well as international, and regional instruments including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The African Charter on
Human and People’s Rights, and the SADC Protocols
relating to elections and gender equality, etc.
Clearly, the
situation in Zimbabwe can no longer be dismissed as a domestic issue.
It has far reaching social and economic implications for the entire
Southern African region, especially for countries such as Botswana
who share a border with Zimbabwe. Regional trade has been severely
affected and there is a rising number of undocumented migrants/illegal
immigrants from Zimbabwe who want to escape the economic hardship
in their country.
Unfortunately,
this migration has exposed many Zimbabweans to further difficulties
in the countries in which they have sought safe refuge. These difficulties
include xenophobia, exploitation and harassment
by both law enforcement officers and citizens.
We, as the Botswana
Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ),
will be conducting a series of public activities between
2 June and 18 July 2006 . Two of the objectives are
- to highlight
the plight of the people of Zimbabwe and
- to communicate
our appeal to our Governments in the SADC region to engage the
Government of Zimbabwe more directly.
In addition,
our activities are aimed at sensitising our people about the dangers
of xenophobia. While we do not condone lawlessness, we wish to plead
with Batswana, especially the security and law enforcement officers,
to treat those they apprehend for breaking the laws of the land
(citizens and non-citizens alike) with dignity and not to subject
them to ridicule and inhuman treatment.
Among the activities
planned is a march and rally on Saturday 10 June 2006 .
All are invited to participate. The public will be informed about
the details of the march and rally, as well as other planned activities
in due course, and we appeal to all for support.
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