Chairperson, the FD believes that quiet diplomacy on human rights violations provokes other social ills such as poverty and instability. Because of the human rights violations in Zimbabwe the poor of that society are crossing over to our border despite the possibility of repatriation. There are hundreds of children in their early teens who are running away to South Africa looking for food, employment and a decent home. Poverty is a violation of human rights.
In the dark days of apartheid we did not welcome quiet diplomacy to bring apartheid to its knees. Zimbabwe, once the bread basket of Africa, has now become the pariah state because of its violations of human rights. However, their fighting back for justice and to have food on their table should be our fight as well.
Our fight against oppression has not been achieved through quiet diplomacy, but through the sacrificial will of the people, with the help of international support and to labour for a society built on universal human rights.
The same universal human rights apply to the Zimbabwean people. That includes their politicians. Those rights cannot be applied selectively to only those in power who want to keep the little they now have in the hands of the few. The redistribution of human rights and economic resources is what we called for.
In conclusion, we are calling for human rights for all the citizens of Africa now. Thank you.