By Tererai Karimakwenda
01 July 2005

Delegates at the Methodist Conference that ended Thursday in the English coastal town of Torquay have adopted a resolution on Zimbabwe. After a viewing a documentary produced by Reverend Dr. Martine Stemerick, who visited Zimbabwe this year and talked to victims and officials, the delegates voted unanimously to adopt a motion calling for the forced deportations to stop, and to allocate humanitarian aid to victims of the ongoing raids.

Dr Stemerick introduced the motion, which was seconded by another delegate who had also been to Zimbabwe. The opening words of the resolution began: "We hear the cries of the poor whose lives have been destroyed." In essence the Methodist Conference resolved to urge the British government to suspend returns to Zimbabwe of failed asylum cases. It also called for humanitarian aid to the country to be channelled through non-governmental organisations and the church, and for this to be monitored to avoid corruption.

With this move, the Methodist Church has added its voice to those of many other religious organisations and clergy who have condemned the the so-called Tsunami that has destroyed the livelihood and homes of many Zimbabweans.