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SIDEBAR
Text of letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and A.U. President John Kufuor

H.E. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General The United Nations New York, New York 10017 USA

H.E. President John Kufuor Chairperson, African Union The Castle Osu, Accra Ghana

Your Excellencies,

I write on behalf of the Mennonite World Conference, a community of 97 member churches in 53 countries, representing approximately 1.5 million people, to express our deep distress with regard to the tragic situation in Zimbabwe. The Mennonite World Conference has a member church in Zimbabwe and, through related organizations, supports humanitarian service and development activities in the country (as in many other countries in Africa and around the world).

As an international community of churches, we stand in strong solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. We have been following the events there with great concern and prayer. It is with a sense of heartfelt grief that we observe the current circumstances in which Zimbabwean people must struggle for survival.

As you know, most Zimbabweans are suffering deeply due to the economic meltdown. Hyper-inflation has robbed the nation of its wealth and its people of the possibility to provide for their families. Ordinary Zimbabweans no longer are secure in their own country, so many cross the border and become refugees. The grievances of the people with regard to poverty, unemployment, security, and abuse of power reflect fundamental failures of government. These developments undermine the capacity of international organizations, including those representing our worldwide family of churches, to offer help to suffering people.

At the same time, the government and police of Zimbabwe are responding to the calls for change with unprecedented oppression. We receive reliable reports of the insensitivity of the government to the torture and beatings of people already in police custody, the refusal of access to legal representation and medical care for these people, and, in general, inhuman treatment of citizens and disregard of human rights.

The incidents on 11 March 2007 and subsequently, in which participants in peaceful demonstrations and expressions of resistance have been imprisoned, attacked, wounded and killed, reveal that the government of Zimbabwe is prepared to use the instruments of State power violently against its own people in complete disregard of their freedom to assembly and of the government’s own constitutional responsibilities.

It is noteworthy that the police action on 11 March 2007 was against participants in a peaceful prayer meeting. I draw your attention to the initiatives that churches in Zimbabwe are taking to promote justice and peace in such a difficult and dangerous context, including through the Ecumenical Peace Initiative which recently presented specific proposals to President Mugabe in a document entitled “The Zimbabwe We Want: Towards a National Vision for Zimbabwe.”

Mennonite World Conference joins with all those who condemn any form of violence in Zimbabwe, irrespective of the political affiliation of those perpetrating the violence. We join also in the common call for tolerance and positive dialogue between all people of goodwill for Zimbabwe, especially all leaders in the country, in the region, and in the global community of nations. We believe that South Africa, the other countries of the Southern Africa Development Community, and the United Nations must respond more energetically and resolvedly to this violent and tragic situation. Quiet diplomacy and inappropriate camaraderie have not spoken meaningfully to the Zimbabwean situation and serve to perpetuate inaction which results in continued repression of the peoples of Zimbabwe. Their suffering is such that no further delay can be contemplated.

Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, we appeal to you to do all in your power to exert influence upon the government of Zimbabwe to change its self-destructive course, to cease its attacks upon its own people, to correct its failed economic policies, and to reverse its political isolationism.

It is our hope and prayer that the global community of nations, led by the African community of nations, can mobilize to help save Zimbabwe, to restore hope to its people, and to revive Zimbabwe as the model and inspiration it once was.

Yours respectfully,