RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 2011 - Vol 36, Human rights and abuse
Commonwealth should remove Zimbabwe sanctions: Think Tank
The London-based Commonwealth Advisory Bureau has issued a report which argues that the group of mostly former British colonies must seize the opportunity for political action to collaterally aid Zimbabwe along the path to democracy through the removing of target sanctions on Robert Mugabe and his followers.
Although Zimbabwe is unlikely to be rejoining the Commonwealth soon, the leaders must use the summit this month to find ways of re-engaging Zimbabwe, especially by addressing and reducing sanctions against President Mugabe and scores of other top ZANU-PF officials, the CAB argues.
There are plenty of things the Commonwealth could do, if it so wished,” the CAB said, adding: “It could, for instance, calibrate a reduction in international sanctions against Zimbabwe to match progress towards democracy and human rights…”
The bureau has also encouraged Commonwealth leaders to help Zimbabwe overhaul its electoral register and election processes, and consider sponsoring an investment conference to help Zimbabwe attract investors to fuel economic recovery.
The bureau noted that Western targeted sanctions are a focal point of ZANU-PF propaganda, creating discord in the unity government in which the party of President Robert Mugabe shares power with the Movement for Democratic Change.
Zimbabwe withdrew from the 54 member group in 2003 and has continued to criticize Britain in particular along with other Western nations.
Commonwealth nations that continue to maintain targeted sanctions include Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Member South Africa has been working to facilitate implementation of the 2008 Global Political Agreement – President Jacob Zuma is mediator in Harare on behalf of the Southern African Development Community.
Commonwealth Advisory Bureau Senior Research Associate Richard Bourne argued that if lifting sanctions might lead ZANU-PF to fully implement the GPA, engaging Harare this way could move the democratic agenda. He added that ZANU-PF will be responsible with its governing partners to accelerate reform and hold free and fair elections.
Political analyst Clifford Mashiri told SW Radio Africa that the lifting of the targeted sanctions would be a serious “blunder,” explaining that “the reasons why these measures were put in place have not been resolved.” He said these measures are “the only real punishment facing the regime for human rights abuses, the same abuses that have displaced millions of people.”
Political analyst Clifford Mashiri told SW Radio Africa that the lifting of the targeted sanctions would be a serious “blunder,” explaining that “the reasons why these measures were put in place have not been resolved.” He said these measures are “the only real punishment facing the regime for human rights abuses, the same abuses that have displaced millions of people.”
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