Zimbabwe Constitution Consultation UK
www.zimcc.com
MEDIA STATEMENT
UK Constitution Consultation to kick off.
London, 15th July 2010. The task force chosen by UK based Zimbabwean organisations to lead the facilitation of the new Zimbabwe constitution consultation process in the UK, (ZIMCC) would like to cordially invite Zimbabweans and other stakeholders to a workshop to launch the UK Diaspora consultations at Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London E7 9AB on Saturday 17th July at 14:00hrs -17:00 hrs.
This follows a call by Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe’s call for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to, “... organise yourselves, consult and make submissions to the constitution. It is your right as Zimbabweans.”
Consultation on what should be in the new Zimbabwean constitution is being led in Zimbabwe by a parliamentary committee (COPAC) jointly chaired by Douglas Mwonzora MP, Edward Mkhosi MP and Paul Mangwana MP representing three parties in parliament.
Zimcc chair Rev Zeb Manatse said the objectives of the workshop are: “to discuss the COPAC methodology for collecting views and ensure an understanding of COPAC talking points, to explain the roll out of Diaspora consultations including timelines; to give out the materials to be used in the consultation and to answer any questions relating to Diaspora participation in the COPAC led constitution making process”
Rev Manatse also emphasised that DPM Khupe had reassured that once the views of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora are collected, her office would facilitate the inclusion and consideration of these views.
“We will ensure that the drafts are reflective of what all Zimbabweans will have said and if necessary will go to the scripts to check,” Khupe added.
Rev Manatse encouraged all Zimbabweans in the UK to take the initiative and participate in the lifetime opportunity to write the supreme law for their country.
He said that ZIMCC now had all the material needed and used for the outreach in Zimbabwe.
The consultation in the UK will be done through organisational outreach programmes before a conference is called which will compile all the data submitted.
“This is an opportunity for organisations that wish to participate in this important national process to send representatives to receive material and explanation of the process,” Rev Manatse said.
To see a map of the venue and to get directions click this link
http://www.aston-mansfield.org.uk/pdf_docs/location_of_durning_hall.pdf
Back-story
The Zimbabwe Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) led outreach programme on the new constitution consultation in Zimbabwe has now kicked off.
Zimbabweans in the Diaspora have been actively been encouraged to make their submissions to the process by Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe. She was speaking on the 6th July 2010 in London to the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group (ZDFG); a Coalition of UK based Zimbabwean organisations.
The ZIMCC organisations are also members of the ZDFG.
In 2000, Zimbabweans voted against a constitution that had been proposed by the Government, in a referendum.
Zimbabwe is currently using a constitution based on the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement that gave Zimbabwe independence in 1980. The constitution has been amended a total of nineteen times, the last of which came in the middle of the political crisis in 2008 resulting in a Government of National Unity (GNU).
The current effort is part of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) provision when the two MDC formations signed a MoU with ZANU PF on 15th September 2008. One of the key commitments by the parties to the agreement was the facilitation of a new constitution after which, fresh elections would be held.
The GNU has tasked an interparty committee to undertake the consultation process. There are 17 thematic committees to which submission will be made following consultation with ordinary Zimbabweans. A referendum is proposed after the final draft.
Ends
Thamsanqa Zhou
Spokesperson, Zimbabwe Constitution Consultation UK (www.zimcc.com)
Tel: 44(0) 7826202810
