Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.

n     Holocaust Museum, Washington DC                 (quoted in latest Kabatana newsletter)

 

  conventional belief, no longer have rural roots to return to.   In any case many rural communities are unable to provide for their existing people and some recently re-settled on farms have also been targeted. Within two weeks 200,000 people were made homeless and 30,000 street vendors and informal workers were arrested, by the authorities.    Current UN estimates are of 1.5 million Zimbabweans now left without homes or a livelihood.   The action has been widespread throughout the whole of the country including Bindura, Shamva, Highfield and Hatcliffe Extension in Harare, Victoria Falls, Mzilikazi and Killarney in Bulawayo.

 

The UN agency HIC-HLRN (Housing and Land Rights Network) cites the violation of a number of  UN Basic Principles on the use of force and firearms,  and states that these violations may also constitute crimes against humanity (Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,  Article 7).  It suggests that the UN Security Council directs the prosecutor of the ICC to investigate and prosecute.

 

Also cited is the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Article 6) of freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention.  HLRN requests letters of protest to be written. (for addresses see below What we can do)

 

The UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Adequate Housing was one of the first international bodies to condemn the action calling it “a new form of apartheid”.

 

Eye witnesses and commentators have used such words as a Zimbabwean tsunani, whole market areas smashed to pieces, quite literally beyond belief, sickening,  a war against the poor and have made comparisons such as “a Pol Pot style depopulation”, or the actions of pre-war Nazi Germany against the Jews.    An analysis by the academic and civil society campaigner Brian Raftopoulos chillingly suggests that “the ruling party is looking to remove the “surplus” elements of the urban population (the “totemless people”).  

 

Other protests have already been made against these breaches of human rights by Amnesty International and about a hundred NGOs including SZG and BZS, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Association of Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights, and the Canadian Foreign Minister.

 

An unprecedented joint statement by Roman Catholic churchmen led by Archbishop Robert Ndlovu of Harare and Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo and displayed in churches throughout Zimbabwe said:   “Any claim to justify this operation becomes totally groundless in view of the cruel and inhumane means that have been used…We condemn the gross injustice done to the poor.”

 

Meanwhile more and more people in the UK are becoming aware and ashamed of the effects of the government’s fast track policy on asylum seekers.   Letters from the Home Office state at the foot of each sheet: “Building a safe, just and tolerant society”.  This is at best ironical in the light of the decisions on many asylum seekers and evidence of inhumane treatment while in detention.      Even asylum seekers from Darfur are being sent back on the basis of inaccurate country information.  

 

The only way some asylum seekers from Zimbabwe have been able to resist forced removal from the UK is to summon up the courage to protest so loudly while shackled to the plane seat that passengers become alarmed and the crew refuse to fly them.   On being returned to his detention centre after one of these episodes one Zimbabwean was described by fellow detainees as a broken man.   And this is not to mention the appalling verbal racism many have to endure from some of the “escorts” to whom they are handcuffed.

 

The Observer (12 June) reported that Britain's policy of forcing failed asylum seekers to return to danger zones and war-torn countries has drawn an unprecedented public attack from the office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.   It will be remembered that only last November the Home Office changed its policy on returning asylum seekers to Zimbabwe;  yet the situation has clearly worsened considerably.  

 

This is acknowledged by the UK government.   In a written statement to the House of Commons on 14 June Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary described the events as callous and brutal and said: “… the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Triesman) summoned the Zimbabwean Charge d'Affaires on 13 June to protest at the continuing human rights abuses under the ongoing crackdown.”

 

On 20 June Amnesty International issued a highly critical report of the UK’s use of detention of asylum seekers.  Its research show that detention of families, victims of torture and other vulnerable individuals “has a terrible human cost….and considers that detention is not being carried out according to international standards”.

 

Hunger strike by Zimbabwean detainees

In despair around 50 Zimbabwean asylum seekers have gone on hunger strike as a last resort to try to convince the Home Office of their fear of persecution if deported.   Forward Mutero interviewed by BBC Radio 4, and in a later call from us, said they were determined to show the strength of the Zimbabwean asylum seekers’ case in the only way open to them.   Meanwhile it appears that the Home Office may shamefully delay further deportations until after G8 to avoid more publicity.    It is therefore essential for supporters to continue to maintain the pressure  (see below)

 

Responses in Scotland

The issues of forced evictions and forced detention are both dealt with in the Scotland Zimbabwe Group’s recent letter to the Scottish press (below).    The issue of Zimbabwean asylum seekers is certainly one that friends of Zimbabwe can take up now by writing to your MP to press for the moratorium on removals to Zimbabwe to be reinstated.

 

Letter in The Scotsman on behalf of the SZG committee                                  8 June 2005

 

Dear Sir,

The Committee of the Scotland Zimbabwe Group, an organisation dedicated to promoting friendship and co-operation between the peoples of Zimbabwe and Scotland, have heard with great concern of the horrific events which have recently taken place in Zimbabwe's main cities. An estimated 100,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable Zimbabweans have been evicted from their homes in the midst of winter by government policy. These homes and the market stalls by which many have eked out a living in recent days have been destroyed by the police, who have conviscated their goods. A further estimated 23,000 arrests have been made throughout the country. The difficulty of receiving news from Zimbabwe leads us to fear that the figure may be well in excess of this number.

 

This destruction of homes and livelihood is chillingly reminiscent of one of the darkest periods in Scotland's history - the Highland Clearances- or more recently the forced removals in apartheid South Africa or the destruction of Palestinian communities. We wish to express our solidarity with the the dispossessed, some of whom are known to members of our group, and to salute those courageous voices in Zimbabwe such as that of Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo who recently received the Burns Humanitarian Award for his forthright defence of human rights.

We are aware that the British Government last year removed the ban on the return of asylum seekers to Zimbabwe, and has since November deported a considerable number of Zimbabweans who have been persecuted on their return. In view of the events of last week we join the increasing number of people who are urging HM Government to agree not to return any other asylum seekers to Zimbabwe until their safety can be guarenteed at a future date when democracy and respect for human rights iare re-established there.

 

Yours sincerely,

Rev.Dr.Iain Whyte

Vice-Convenor, Scotland Zimbabwe Group

 

And a hard hitting article in the Press and Journal (15 June, Aberdeen)  points out that many of the “shanty” dwellings came into being as a direct result of the the Zimbabwe government’s own failed land policy, resulting in hundreds of unemployed workers moving from rural areas to the towns.   In the light of Make Poverty History campaign and the invitation by Tony Blair to President Thabo Mbeki to G8 this month, this article makes revealing assertions about the “aid” and sales to Zimbabwe from other countries:     tear gas from South Africa and Malawi, spare parts for security services helicopters from SA and military aircraft from China.

 

On June 14 the Catholic Bishops of Scotland issued a statement expressing their deep concern.  “We speak out in support of the Archbishop [Pius Ncube of Bulawayo] ..and…unite with our brother bishops in Zimbabwe who speak out in honesty and justice in defence of the dignity and humanity of the people of Zimbabwe.”

 

What we can do

 

Donations

Apart from supporting known agencies working in Zimbabwe such as Mercy Corps and Medecins sans Frontiers, the Britain Zimbabwe Society’s website

offers specific accounts.     For the people of Hatcliffe Extension where 10,000 people were driven from their homes on 26 May:   UK account name:  Zimfunds, Barclays Bank Branch Sort Code 20-29-90,  A/c number:  70568724 (Mark the deposit slip: Respite Centre). 

 

The BZS on-going famine relief fund has re-opened: cheques to The Treasurer, Britain Zimbabwe Society, 14 Carlingnose Point, North Queensferry, Fife

(for more information: www.britain-zimbabwe.org.uk)

 

Operation Murambatsvina Emergency Appeal: cheques (only) to WEZIMBABWE, PO Box 333, 456-458 The Strand, London WC2R 0DZ.  Mark for the OMEA.

 

Letters

Write as soon as possible to your MP and your MEP about these issues asking for specific action, e.g. that the moratorium on removal of asylum seekers from Zimbabwe is reinstated;  ask Tony Blair to try to persuade Thabo Mbeki as key African leader to exert more pressure - after all Mbeki has just shown himself  strong enough to tackle corruption at home;  you could write to Nelson Mandela asking him not to attend the Mugabes’ lavish wedding anniversary in August.     Also contact your MSP -The Scottish Parliament is now showing a positive interest in international affairs, not just because of Gleneagles.

 

Respond to the Urgent Action Appeal  of HIC-HLRN (see above) by writing to:

 

H.E. Simbarashe Simbanenduku Mumbengegwi

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Munhumutapa Building

Samora Machel Avenue Box 4240

Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe

Fax:     +263 (0)4705–161

 

H.E. Ambassador Tichaona Joseph B. Jokonya

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zimbabwe to United Nations

UN Headquarters, 128 East 56th Street

New York, NY 10022

Fax:     +1 212 308–6705

E-mail: zimbabwe@un.int

 

Mr. Miloon Kothari

UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

E-mail: miloonkothari@vsnl.net

Fax: +41(0)22 917–9010

 

Keep writing to the newspapers, and phone or email BBC radio news programmes expressing concern about the situation as it unfolds.     We know that this can give some support to people in Zimbabwe as well as alerting people in the UK to their problems.

 

Last but not least take out a subscription to The Zimbabwean newspaper, the Voice for the Voiceless, published in the UK due to the stifling of non-state media:  £22.00 for 6 months (£34 Institutional) inc. 1^st class in UK, payable to The Zimbabwean Ltd,

PO Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX.  tel:02380 879 675

Details of overseas subscriptions or the sponsor-a- sub scheme, (copies delivered to friends in Zimbabwe) from the website: www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

 

Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo:  visit to Scotland in May

Just before Operation Murambatsvina started Scotland welcomed the Archbishop who, on 20 May at Culzean Castle, was awarded the Robert Burns International Humanitarian Award.   This award, launched 4 years ago, has been described as Scotland’s Nobel peace prize.    Many Zimbabweans and friends of Zimbabwe in Scotland were grateful to Cardinal Keith O’Brien of St Andrews and Edinburgh who personally organised an open meeting to meet the Archbishop in Edinburgh the following day.    This enabled Zimbabweans and friends to speak personally to him and to hear first hand of the serious conditions back home.   In his acceptance speech he said “the cause of justice, rule of law, the respect for human rights and decent living, have not been realised yet in Zimbabwe.”   While in Scotland he also made a plea to Tony Blair “It also saddens me that the British Government since last year has embarked on forced repatriation of  Zimbabweans who are asylum seekers.”

 

Speaking Out

Scotland Zimbabwe Group committee are well aware of perceived and actual dangers of our speaking out to criticise the results of current Zimbabwean government policies.      And asylum seekers are also warned of the potentially negative effect on their asylum cases if they speak out about UK asylum policy.

These are serious issues and Scottish supporters of the Group without immediate family and friends in Zimbabwe are mindful of their responsibility.    As a priority our list of members and contacts for newsletters and information remains confidential and no personal details will be passed on..

 

Having said this it’s worth revisiting the carefully debated aims and objectives of the Scotland Zimbabwe Group:   to develop social, cultural and human rights awareness between Scotland and Zimbabwe through networking, education…..The group  is independent of any government and of any political or sectarian organisation,  providing that this does not prohibit the SZG from entering into working arrangements with other bodies whose objects are similar to those of the Group.       Please contact us if you wish to comment on these issues as we are currently working on our draft constitution, or have concerns about confidentiality.

 

We are aware too that there are in Scotland supporters of the current Zimbabwean and UK policies - we ask them too to speak out so a discussion may be held.

 

Make Poverty History March       Saturday 2 July

We haven’t heard of a specifically Zimbabwean grouping so why not march with the STOP AIDS umbrella group which includes ImpactAids to which

SZG is linked (meeting point at the STOP AIDS telescope/stall in the Meadows at 11 am), or walk with World Development Movement (WDM).    Look out too for a new group Make Dictatorship History, email:  makedictatorshiphistory@yahoo.co.uk

 

Check the MPH website for maps and updates:  www.makepovertyhistory.org

 

Open Forum on Zimbabwe and Southern Africa

Held in London on 4 June Tarsisio and Joan attended this informative and highly charged debate on the current crisis.   Excellent speakers included Elinor Sisulu (Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe), Brian Raftopolous (Institute of Development Studies, Zimbabwe) and Gabriel Shumba (Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, torture survivor).    They stressed the complexity of the crisis, the need to prepare for a long struggle, to continue to pressurise regional and world agencies.     A full report will be available soon from Britain Zimbabwe Society

www.britain-zimbabwe.org.uk

 

Summer and Festival events

 

A special Festival edition of the newsletter will be sent later,  but a few things to look out for already.  At least two Zimbabwean groups are listed in the Assembly/Pleasance programme for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 3-29 August: 

 

Super Patriots & Morons (Rooftop Productions); 

 

Sing! Zimbabwe: The Chitungwisa Harmony Singers with Tumbuka dance company (Pamushana Productions)

 

At the end of August/beginning of September the Grassroots Theatre Group will be back in Edinburgh following its first successful visit here last October.  They already have a big schools programme.   If you can offer support in any way or want more details, contact Jenni Brown email: s0091062@sms.ed.sac.uk or Jannifer Zindoga: j_zindoga@hotmail.com,    (m)07704 206 567 

And just announced:   for the first time the Scottish Parliament are organising an event during the Festival - a discussion whose speakers include Vanessa Redgrave and “our own” Rise Kagona.   More later.

 

Please keep sending Festival  information for the next newsletter.

 

SCOTLAND ZIMBABWE GROUP  aims

 

to develop social, cultural and human rights awareness between Scotland and Zimbabwe through:  

·       networking and education

·       raising funds for specific projects

·       sharing personal experiences, attending and organising events or meetings

 

 

CONTACT:

SZG Secretary: Tichaona Tamanikwa

tel:  0131 467 1135          (m) 07950 347 458

email:   tamtich@hotmail.com

mail:  5 Yardheads,

          Edinburgh EH6 6BU.

 

Membership Secretary:  

Jon Leavens

45A Cumberland Street

Edinburgh EH3 6RG.    

email:  jon.leavens@lwcdial.net

 

Newsletter and information:

Joan Weir     0131 667 3138

email: joanweir@yahoo.com