ZPM press statement on refugee week

As the world celebrates refugee week, almost 5 million persecuted and displaced Zimbabweans are seeking refugee around the globe. Under the 1951 UN Refugee Geneva Convention people have the right to apply for protection in any nation that is a signatory to the convection.  No one, in the end, wishes to be a refugee. Refuge in a foreign land is a last resort, when all else has failed, when violence and persecution have left no option but flight.

While our own country Zimbabwe murders and rapes its own citizens other moving democracy nations are sharing the responsibility and are seizing the opportunity to demonstrate their humanity-ness by providing a safe passage and sanctuary to the persecuted and hopeless.

The main perpetrators Mugabe and his cronies, the Militias and the Army according to the press, have as of recent recruited illegally into the Zimbabwean forces more than 10 000 personnel in preparation to inflict violence on the local masses in the next election while they building their own expensive refugee hide out nests worth billions of Rands in the neighbouring South Africa. During this refugee week they are sitting back home comfortable, in highly tables of luxury that have been gained through plunder of the country`s natural resources. Their many victims are not 100 per cent free and comfortable in their eventual destinations, all these victims can do is remember and celebrate the blessings of refugee week.

Zimbabwe Peoples Movement will not give up the fight for human rights, democracy, freedom of speech, self-governance and the rule of law.  Millions of refugees are suffering because of dictatorship and authoritarian governments who have no heart for the people they pretend to be representing.  In Africa alone there are more dictators per capita than in any other part of the world.  ZPM this week will let the world know that ZANU PF government in Zimbabwe stands as one of the notorious regimes of all time with outstanding records on violation of human rights, no rule of law, use of fear and violence on its people.   The regime is ruling with an iron fist with millions of Zimbabwean refugees scattered all over the world.
    
What crimes have these defenceless victims of Mugabe and his ZANU PF committed, How many self-made wars and lawlessness have they survived? What hopes, what dreams did they leave behind in pursuit of humanitarian protection and life?

Some have risked limbs from electrocution on the electrified South Botswana boarder fences while others have crossed through dangerous crocodile infested Limpopo Rivers to neighbouring South Africa with little children on their backs. Enduring hours upon hours of horror and darkness and still manage to get away. Others have succumbed to long detentions years in foreign deportation centres and homelessness on far away foreign streets. They are faced with extensive deportation programmes that may sometime undermine not only the Geneva Convention but other human rights and children rights. They are survivors who are highly motivated and possess resilience and far-sightedness.

The United Nations' s High Commissioner for Refugees attempts to supports them with legal aid, food supplies, housing and preventive health measures, and also tries to find a permanent residence for the refugees through member states. Every workable definition of the word Refuge contains the same footprint: protection from danger, asylum, sanctuary, security and shelter.

Zimbabwe Peoples Movement takes this week as a special week to urge governments to be considerate on processing issues on refugees particularly cases from countries known to be having records of violation of human rights, lawlessness and dictatorship.   

ZPM believes that coalitions and alliances by all oppositions and civic organisations forming a United Front against the common enemy (the regime) can restore order and the voice of the voiceless and ultimate democracy at the nearest election.  ZPM also believes the world should be working on natural disasters', refugee issues than dictator or regime manipulated sufferings. Therefore, efforts should be supported to remove such regimes.  

To free our beloved country Zimbabwe they will be a cost but ZPM shall not give up.

Refugee Week is a necessary initiative that strengthens the community spirit in these trying times of community decline and enables people to be able to participate in their communities as equal members of it as well as celebrating the contribution refugees make to society.