Complying with the Abuja Agreement
In terms of the Abuja Agreement, the Zimbabwean Government committed itself to “take firm action against violence and intimidation”. This report examines whether there has been compliance with this term of the Agreement.
October 23, 2001


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Commonwealth human rights standards

The Harare Declaration was issued in 1991 by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Harare. This Declaration, and the subsequent amplification in the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme in New Zealand, states the Commonwealth’s standards on human rights and good governance. The Harare Declaration was based upon the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles formulated in Singapore in 1971. These Principles were drawn up in the era of Rhodesian rebellion, and apartheid in South Africa, and, to some extent reflected the concerns of that historical period. They were relatively straightforward nonetheless, and are still applicable today. Starting with an assertion that material well-being is dependent upon peace, order, economic development and the rule of law, the Principles have this to say about human rights:

“…we believe in the liberty of the individual under the law, in equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender, race, colour, creed or political belief, and in the individual's inalienable right to participate by means of free and democratic political processes in framing the society in which he or she lives; we recognise racial prejudice and intolerance as a dangerous sickness and a threat to healthy development, and racial discrimination as an unmitigated evil; we oppose all forms of racial oppression, and we are committed to the principles of human dignity and equality…”

 These are very strong principles, but were nonetheless deemed to be in need of revision and extension. The CHOGM in Harare decided to revisit the Principles and make them applicable to the challenges of the new, post-Cold War world. In 1991, the Commonwealth decided to take a more active position regarding the adherence to these Principles. It decided upon indicators of adherence. As regards human rights and good governance, these included:

  • the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth;

  • democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government; 

  • fundamental human rights, including equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief; 

  • extending the benefits of development within a framework of respect for human rights; 

  • support of the United Nations and other international institutions in the world's search for peace, disarmament and effective arms control; and in the promotion of international consensus on major global political, economic and social issues. 

Thus, the Commonwealth has a laid out both principles and standards for good national and international behaviour, and all Commonwealth countries voluntarily agreed to be bound by these. The final stage of this process has been the establishment at Millbrook in New Zealand of a mechanism to enforce these principles and standards: the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.

At the 15th meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in March 2001, the Ministers from Botswana, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Canada, Malaysia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom took the step of making a statement on the current Zimbabwe crisis. In the usual mild language of the diplomat, they stated some very serious concerns:

“They recalled that at their thirteenth meeting in May 2000, Ministers had expressed concerns over a number of issues in the run-up to Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections. The Ministers were concerned that problems continue, and noted especially recent reports of intimidation of the judiciary and the media. They recalled and affirmed the principles embodied in the Commonwealth Harare Declaration to which all Commonwealth members have pledged their commitment.”

 It is to this human rights background that the Abuja Agreement makes explicit reference, and to these standards that we must refer in deciding upon the Zimbabwe Government’s adherence to the Agreement.

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