of race, ethnicity or political affiliation. These fundamental rights, includingfreedom of
association, expression and right to a fair trial should be extended to all including those recently
detained.It is also vital that freedom of speech is respected, and that there is a reversal of
recent measures to censor the traditional media and social media.Human rights should also be
understood in an inclusive way that recognizes the economic rights of Zimbabwean citizens.In
order to safeguard human rights going forward, independent constitutional commissions such
as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission should be empowered to carry out their
constitutional mandates.
4.
Peaceful and civilian government:
Civil society believes that a key part of any process of democratic transition is that the
government be civilian-led as set out in the constitution and that this is true in practice as well
as in theory.This will involve a quick return to barracks for the military, and a commitment that
there will be no further military interference in the government, with no military leaders
appointed to civilian political positions, and a commitment to non-violent politics before, during
and after elections. To further strengthen the re-assertion of civilian rule, there should be a
public commitment that all security forces are meant to serve and protectall the people of
Zimbabwe with fear or favour. We urge the new government to urgently engage in security
sector reform in order to build more capable, neutral and professional securityservices.
5.
A commitment to reconciliation and national healing:
Lastly, we urge the incoming President and his government to make good on the opportunity to
build a new and more united country that is before them.We believe that the new, united and
prosperous Zimbabwe should be built on the firm foundation of sincere acknowledgment of
past wrongs and earnest efforts to ensure national healing.We wish to draw the attention to the
new government of such past wrongs as the early post-independence Matabeleland massacres
or Gukurahundi, violent land seizures, Operation Murambatsvina and the politically motivated
violence in our past elections which continue to cast dark shadows over our nation. We strongly
urge the incoming President and his emerging government to commit fully to a genuine peopledriven national healing process that addresses these issues, puts an end to the culture of
impunity, and charts the path of the nation to peace and prosperity.
Ends///
For further information please contact:
The Chairperson
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
Suite 4
No.1 Raleigh Street,
P.O. Box 9077
Harare
Zimbabwe
Mobile:
+263 772 276 543
Tel:
+263 4 772860,770170,770177,
Email:
nd@myzpp.com
The Executive Director
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
Suite 4
No.1 Raleigh Street,
P.O. Box 9077
Harare
Mobile: +263 772 151 989
Email: blessing@hrforum.co.zw