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DemocracyAlerts

From time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical.

To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html.

(June 16, 2008)

DemocracyAlert: African Democracy Forum Issues Statement on Political Crisis in Zimbabwe

On June 14, the African Democracy Forum (ADF), a World Movement network of over 430 democracy and human rights organizations throughout Africa, issued a statement expressing its deep concern over the worsening political crisis, and escalating violence against civilians, in the pre-presidential run-off election period in Zimbabwe.  Recent reports from ADF members working in and on Zimbabwe indicate that the situation is worsening in the country as the June 27  run-off election approaches.

In its statement, the ADF strongly condemns the increasing threats against civil society groups in the country that have been calling for a free and fair election and that have been defending human rights.  In recent weeks, the ADF has received reports that democracy and human rights activists have been increasingly beaten and arrested.  Organizations affected include: Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), National Association of Non-Governmental Associations (NANGO), and Bulawayo Agenda.

Moreover, the ADF is particularly concerned about the recent arrest of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary-General, Mr. Tendai Beti.  He was arrested on June 12 and has been detained in an unknown location.  Beti has been the chief negotiator for MDC in the talks facilitated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).  His detention and possible conviction could end any possibility for peaceful negotiations to end the current political and humanitarian crises.

The ADF urges the Government of Zimbabwe to maintain its constitutional and international legal engagements and to respect the rights of civil society organizations, which are articulated in Defending Civil Society, a recent report co-authored by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the World Movement for Democracy.   The ADF also calls on the African Union, SADC, the European Union, the United Nations, and other members of the international community to take urgent action to help provide a secure environment for a free and fair election and a peaceful democratic transition in Zimbabwe. 

To read the statement issued by the ADF, go to:  www.africandemocracyforum.org

To read the Defending Civil Society report, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Defending%20Civil%20Society%20-%20English.pdf