Resolution on the Human Rights and the Humanitarian Situation in Zimbabwe

ACHPR/Res.138(XXXXIV)08: RESOLUTION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 44th Ordinary Session in Abuja in the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 10 to 24 November 2008 ;

RECALLING the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

NOTING Resolution ACHPR/Res.89(XXXVIII)05, ACHPR/Res.128(XXXXII)07 and others, on different human rights and humanitarian law violations in Zimbabwe;

RECALLING the provisions of the African Charter on Democracy and Good Governance in Africa;

NOTING that to date the political crisis in Zimbabwe continues and thereby impacting negatively to the lives of civilian population;

OBSERVING that the Global Political agreement signed on the 15th of September 2008 between the political parties namely, ZANU PF, and the MDC has not been fully implemented in spite of efforts made by regional organs to put an end to the situation;

CONCERNED about the repeated human rights violations, in particular those against human rights defenders, women defenders and journalists;

CALLS on political parties in Zimbabwe to give their full commitment with the view to implement the Global Political agreement without any further delay;

REQUESTS the African Union, and SADC to take appropriate measures with the view to ensure the resumption of humanitarian assistance by the international community in Zimbabwe and to cease all forms of violence against the media and human rights defenders, including women defenders;

URGES the Government of Zimbabwe to take all appropriate measures to ensure the effective implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in Zimbabwe, in particular the right to food, basic education, health and hygiene, the right to freedom of expression, freedom of movement and association.