MAYNOOTH - 14 April 2008 - 320 words
Chairman of Trocaire calls for end to Zimbabwe deadlock
Chairman of Trócaire, Bishop
John Kirby, has joined calls for an end to the post-election deadlock,
and for the Zimbabwean government and regional leaders to act
to dispel fears and tensions. He issued the following statement
on Friday:
In company with Catholic Bishops Conferences throughout the world,
Bishop John Kirby, Chairman of Trócaire, wishes to
express his deepest concern over the unfolding situation in Zimbabwe.
The unnecessarily slow release of election results over the past
week has fuelled anxiety and tension among the already long-suffering
people of Zimbabwe. The Government clampdown of the last few days
and general atmosphere of insecurity has increased fears that
any presidential election run-off will be marred by the violence,
retribution and repression that characterised the well-documented
election periods of 2000, 2002 and 2005.
The Bishops of Zimbabwe noted in December 2007 that "Previous
elections have been marred by controversy and violence. We urge
Government and all contesting parties, to create a social, political
and economic climate that enhances moral integrity. We urge those
responsible for organising elections to establish a credible electoral
process, whose outcome will be free and fair and with local and
international recognition." We echo this call and their call
for candidates to be 'magnanimous in victory and defeat.'
In light of the current tensions in Zimbabwe and given
that the risk of violence may be increasing, Bishop Kirby and
Trócaire join the calls of the domestic and international
community in urging the Electoral Commission, in the interest
of peace and the search for justice, to urgently release and publicise
the results of the presidential election held on March 29, 2008.
Many Zimbabweans are anxiously waiting for these results; and
they deserve and have a right to know the outcome.
We commend SADC leaders for organising an extraordinary regional
summit this weekend in Zambia and call upon them to take all measures
necessary to ensure that the will of the people of Zimbabwe as
expressed through these polls is upheld, and that election-related
violence and repression is averted. All contesting political parties,
as well as those responsible for organising elections, have the
duty to ensure that peace and calm prevails in Zimbabwe at this
critical juncture and that the rule of law is upheld.
In issuing this statement, we are aware of the long history of
friendship which unites Irish people with Zimbabweans, which is
due in no small measure to the ongoing dedicated work of Irish
missionaries in partnership with the people of Zimbabwe.
We pray this Sunday for the citizens of Zimbabwe as they anxiously
await the outcome of this historic election. They voted in great
numbers last month. Let us pray with them now as they advocate
so courageously for a fair and transparent election process that
delivers responsible and accountable leadership to their country
as well as peace, justice and prosperity.
© Independent Catholic News 2008
Contact Independent
Catholic News tel/fax:
+44 (0)20 7267 3616 or email
Chaplain • Latest news • Archive • Listings • Pictures •