April 24, 2008

TORONTO – In a statement released today The United Church of Canada expressed deep concern about reports of increasing violence throughout Zimbabwe. The statement also condemns all politically motivated acts of intimidation, physical punishment, torture, and killing of Zimbabweans.

"The United Church of Canada joins the international community in prayer and action for a peaceful resolution of the Zimbabwean people's struggle for meaningful participation in democratic change in that country," said Omega Bula, Executive Minister of the United Church's Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit.

Adds Bula, "We reiterate the statement of the World Council of Churches' General Secretary, Samuel Kobia, who said, ‘It is the sovereign right of the people of Zimbabwe to choose their leaders, define the future of their country and insist upon a peaceful transition.'"

Gary Kenny is the United Church's program coordinator for Southern Africa.

He says reports received by the church indicate that the Zimbabwean military and police as well as war veterans and youth militia mobilized by the Zimbabwean government are terrorizing the countryside with impunity, and are punishing people who voted for the opposition in elections held March 29.

"Apparently they are also trying to intimidate Zimbabweans into voting for ZANU-PF in any parliamentary vote recounts or a presidential run-off vote, should they be held," comments Kenny.

He says that adding to tensions in the country is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's long delay in releasing the results of the presidential vote. The delay has prompted allegations from Zimbabwean opposition and civil society groups that the Mugabe government is trying to manipulate the electoral figures to steal the presidential and parliamentary elections, both of which it appears to have lost.

"We call on the Zimbabwean government to immediately end its campaign of violence against the Zimbabwean people," said Kenny. "We also urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and any party exercising influence over it, to respect the wishes of Zimbabwe's electorate and release the results of the presidential vote immediately."

Kenny expressed disappointment that members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in particular South Africa, had not applied pressure on the Zimbabwean government to live up to its commitment to respect the democratic electoral process.

The Mugabe government has flaunted the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which it has endorsed, and SADC has a responsibility to hold any violators accountable, explains Kenny.

"South African President Thabo Mbeki's comment last week that Zimbabwe is not experiencing an elections-related crisis is insensitive and just wrong," says Kenny.

He adds, "Zimbabweans are being beaten, murdered, and displaced in a situation of tremendous uncertainty and instability because of attempts by the Mugabe government to hold on to power."

The United Church is also calling on the Government of Canada to work vigorously through diplomatic channels to pressure SADC members to take their responsibilities toward Zimbabwe much more seriously.

The United Church of Canada