PETITION

Presented by The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition on Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ)

Our neighbours in Zimbabwe are living in a state of political, social and economic crisis.

Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association are systematically denied to the citizens of Zimbabwe . According to reports shared during the seven week commemoration period of “Operation Murambatsvina”, poverty has affected the majority of the population. Inflation is currently at 2000 percent, the highest in the world by a vast margin. Indeed, cooking oil, bread, and women’s sanitary items are ‘luxuries’ in Zimbabwe, as they are too expensive for much of the population to afford, or are simply not available. Rapidly escalating school fees have made education inaccessible to many children. In “Operation Murambatsvina,” implemented by the central government, many of the most impoverished and vulnerable Zimbabweans were deprived of their homes.

To escape these hardships, many Zimbabweans have fled poverty, hunger, and oppression and have entered neighbouring countries. While some have left to seek professional opportunities now available only outside Zimbabwe and are thriving in their new environment, others, perhaps poor and uneducated, cannot secure residence and work permits, and are denied refugee status. Under these circumstances, any individual might find it difficult to provide for him or herself.

It has become apparent that many Batswana are concerned with the rapid influx of immigrants in past years, both documented and undocumented. This concern has manifested itself positively through calls in Botswana for justice in Zimbabwe , and negatively in others who have responded with xenophobia, and even abuse of Zimbabweans.

The Botswana Council of Churches (BCC), The Botswana Council of Non – Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), The 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, The Botswana Civil Society Solidarity Coalition for Zimbabwe (BOCISCOZ), present this petition, with the goals of highlighting the plight of the people of Zimbabwe and communicating our appeal to our Governments in the SADC region to engage the Government of Zimbabwe more directly.

Silent diplomacy has not been effective in addressing the situation in Zimbabwe . The truth must be spoken, and the state of the crisis in Zimbabwe acknowledged by all the Governments of the SADC region. ‘Smart’ sanctions, which target only those abusing their positions of power and oppressing the citizens of Zimbabwe , should be seriously explored by the Botswana Government and the civil society.

A durable solution must be found and implemented which addresses not only the symptoms of the crisis in Zimbabwe which are apparent in Botswana , but also the core problems facing the people in Zimbabwe . Only when the people of Zimbabwe are safe in their homes and have the legitimate opportunity to live and work, can balance be restored to Zimbabwe and to the region.

20 July 2006

Gaborone

Signed,

____________________________

David Modiega (Mr)

The Botswana Council of Churches (BCC)

____________________________

Baboloki Tlale (Mr)

The Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO)

____________________________

Alice Mogwe (Ms)

DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights

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Modise David Maphanyane (Mr)

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana Chapter

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Eric Ditau

(Mr)

The Botswana Secondary Teachers Trade Union (BOSETU, formerly BOFESETE)