Written declaration | Doc. 11733 | 01 October 2008

For a democratic Zimbabwe

Signatories: Mr Jean-Claude MIGNON, France, EPP/CD ; Mr John AUSTIN, United Kingdom ; Mr Denis BADRÉ, France, ALDE ; Mr Laurent BÉTEILLE, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Georges COLOMBIER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Alain COUSIN, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Daniel DUCARME, Belgium ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Ms Claude GREFF, France, EPP/CD ; Ms Arlette GROSSKOST, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Mike HANCOCK, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Ms Danuta JAZŁOWIECKA, Poland ; Mr François LONCLE, France, SOC ; Mr Theo MAISSEN, Switzerland ; Mr Germinal PEIRO, France ; Mr Maximilian REIMANN, Switzerland ; Mr Frédéric REISS, France, EPP/CD ; Mr André SCHNEIDER, France, EPP/CD ; Ms Miet SMET, Belgium ; Mr Rudi VIS, United Kingdom ; Mr Robert WALTER, United Kingdom, EDG

This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.

1. The violence and fraud that punctuated the recent elections in Zimbabwe were yet another illustration of that country’s difficulties in treading a path towards social harmony.

2. Despite the results of the first round of the presidential and parliamentary elections of 29 March 2008 giving a majority to the opposition, the outgoing president did not hesitate to bring violent pressure to bear on the people.

3. In the face of these breaches of the most rudimentary principles of law and human dignity, the international community must, as a matter of urgency, join forces and at last make its voice heard, be it through the Council of Europe, the UN, the European Union or the African Union.

4. We cannot allow ourselves to compromise on the values that must govern the settlement of this situation.

5. It is our wish that a new consultation of the people of Zimbabwe be organised and that the United Nations observe proceedings. It is only such a course of action that could lastingly rehabilitate the political situation in Zimbabwe.

6. No measure, even of a transitional nature, must be overlooked to achieve that aim, particularly measures geared to forming a government of national unity.