Commonwealth organisations urge action on Zimbabwe crisis
Issued by the Royal Commonwealth Society
A coalition of Commonwealth organisations, headed by the Royal Commonwealth Society, are pressing Commonwealth leaders now gathering in Uganda to tackle the Zimbabwe crisis.
Campaigners are holding a special meeting on Zimbabwe in Kampala, in the wings of the Commonwealth summit. “Zimbabwe in crisis: time for Commonwealth action” takes place on Wednesday 21 November, 12.30pm at the Grand Imperial Hotel, Kampala.
The meeting, which brings together top opinion formers from Zimbabwe, Uganda, India, the UK and the Caribbean, will be held immediately before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), taking place in Kampala, Uganda, from 23-25 November 2007.
The speakers are Morgan Tsvangirai, President of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Zimbabwe; Maja Daruwala of India, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative; Kumi Naidoo of South Africa,,Secretary-General and CEO of CIVICUS; Nokuthula Moyo, Zimbabwean Lawyers for Human Rights; Patsy Robertson, a Jamaican, Chairperson, Commonwealth Association; and Stuart Mole, from the UK, Director-General, Royal Commonwealth Society. It will be chaired by the Rt Rev Dr Edward Muhima, Bishop of North Kigezi, Uganda.
The meeting forms part of the Commonwealth Action for Zimbabwe campaign. The Campaign has issued the Commonwealth People’s Charter for Zimbabwe, available at: www.commonwealth-action-for-zimbabwe.org.
Following the decision of the Government of Zimbabwe to withdraw from Commonwealth membership in 2003, the developing crisis in Zimbabwe has been “off the Commonwealth agenda”. However, many Commonwealth civil society organisations feel that the Commonwealth must remain engaged with Zimbabwe, now more than ever. They argue it is imperative to send a message to the people of Zimbabwe that they are not forgotten, to provide assistance by strengthening local civil society bodies in Zimbabwe, and to bring Zimbabwe back into the Commonwealth fold.
There are initial signs that pressure and lobbying from civil society is bearing fruit, so it is hoped that this meeting will be a catalyst for a change in policy from the “official” Commonwealth.
The event is on record and is open to the media. A press briefing will follow immediately after the event. Interviews with the speakers can be arranged before and after the meeting.
The event is free to attend and open to all. We welcome attendance by local Ugandans, by those attending CHOGM, local and international civil society and the media.
Media enquiries from the UK must be directed to:
