Press Statement of The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe

The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ) WEEK 6

The next BOCISCOZ event will be a Petition March on Thursday 20 July 2006 at 9.30 am beginning from the Statute of Sir Seretse Khama in the Government Enclave. This will mark the end of the regional 7 week Commemoration Period of “Operation Murambatsvina”.

18 May 2006 marked the first anniversary of “Operation Murambatsvina”, and 2 June – 18 July 2006 has been designated as a period of regional solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe .

During this 7 week commemoration period of “Operation Murambatsvina” and awareness-raising about the current situation in Zimbabwe, the coalition activities have included a Prayer Service, a March and Rally, a Focus Seminar and an on-going Petition-Signing Campaign. To read and/or sign the online version of one of the petitions, please visit petitiononline website between 23 June and 18 July 2006 .

The Artists Week has been postponed. However, the Thapong Gallery invites local artists to participate in an exhibition of work dealing with the situation in Zimbabwe . Interested artists should contact the Director of the gallery at 316 1771 or 319 1815.

During the Petition March on Thursday 20 July 2006 , petitions about the situation in Zimbabwe will be submitted to the relevant authorities. We appeal to all for support, as the effects of “Operation Murambatsvina” are apparent not only within Zimbabwe but also in Botswana and throughout the region.

The Botswana Council of Churches (BCC), The Botswana Council of Non – Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), Botswana Secondary Teachers Trade Union (BOSETU, formerly 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 the various civil society organisations in Botswana , we have therefore formed a coalition which resolves to act in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe . DITSHWANELO is coordinating the activities of The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ).

We encourage everyone to participate in these events, and to support the effort 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. The situation in Zimbabwe affects us all.

10 July 2006

Gaborone