ZIDERA: A clear crime against humanity

ADELIBERATE act, typically as part of a systematic campaign that causes human suffering or death on a large scale, is what generally defines crime against humanity, which is vividly being experienced in Zimbabwe since the introduction of ZIDERA in 2001.

Following the Land Reform Programme by the Government of Zimbabwe in 2000, which was set to address land ownership discriminations, the US Congress responded by putting measures that promote human suffering under the brand Zimbabwe Democracy and Recovery Act. Under this sanctions law by the US Congress, ordinary populace are dying in hospitals due to lack and also expensiveness of required drugs, no state currency, jobless youths and bloody-looting demonstrations and that clearly indicates how sanctions are victimising the people of Zimbabwe.

There is a long standing conflicting “grey area” in analysing ZIDERA, with most Eurocentric analysts presenting sanctions on Zimbabwe as targeted sanctions. The immediate question is who the target is. Is the target being the ordinary people who are mournfully dying in hospitals due to lack of sufficient essential drugs or the jobless qualified people? Recently due the high level of transparency under the Second Republic, Zimbabweans are now learning that the government needs millions of foreign currency per week to import drugs and fuel. After learning that, the panic mode is on high note, lots of questions being centred on how we are going to maintain the supplies under the current isolation.

What further boggles the mind of the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe is about the route to salvation, considering the forces behind the sanctions on Zimbabwe, are ones purported as the champions of democracy and the champions of humanity. To the Christian family, doing harm to your friend or enemy is the work of the devil and forgiveness, living in harmony gives joy to the Lord. To my understanding, Christianity is common in America, and at the same time they are the so called champions of democracy. Regard to the “annual ritual of renewing” this sanction law are the Christians in US Congress reading a different Bible with those in Africa and in particular Zimbabwe.

Taking into consideration the reasons for the introduction of ZIDERA and the efforts being done by Zimbabwe particularly under the Second Republic, many Zimbabweans were expecting automatic relaxation of sanctions, and more fruitful negotiation between Zimbabwe and the Western powers, but paradoxically more darkness is coming from the champions of democracy. To the general citizens of Zimbabwe, the introduction of ZIDERA and the meaning of it is still a mystery only politicians seem to have the background.

ZIDERA is causing strange suffering to people who don’t believe in atrocities, people who naturally respect each other in their communities, to the people who joyously celebrated their independence and the land they fought for. If sanctions are legal and recognised by international laws in restricting country/ states, individuals or organisation threatening behaviour, what is ZIDERA restricting in Zimbabwe? Is it restricting how the land reform programme was executed by the government of Zimbabwe or is restricting the Black owners of the land from owning it?

Ratification of constitutional anomalies within the land reform programme has been one of the top priorities of the government. Under the second republic, the citizens are now familiar with the human rights groups through creation of enough space to interact. But what is still causing confusing is ZIDERA is still standing and standing for what? According to Wafawarova, ZIDERA is a sanction law based on racism and racial supremacy, which is clearly evidenced by the course of events on daily basis.

Considering the effort by the government of Zimbabwe and its people to normalise relations with the international system, ZIDERA is just political cannibalism totally different from what the Congress and its agents portray it to be. What then is the mission statement of the law? The clear answer is, ZIDERA is the US Congress resolution to massacre both innocent and the so called guilty Zimbabweans. What ZIDERA stands for is complete takeover of ownership and Zimbabwean identity from its people - neo colonialism in a man-made dignified way. ZIDERA is the sanction law for intensive poverty on Zimbabwe, hidden under the brand of human rights.

It is clear disdain to set international and regional goals to be achieved by all nations ignoring the call by Zimbabweans and neighbouring countries to remove sanctions on Zimbabwe. If it is a matter of Environmental Threat (Global Warming in particular) the world will unite and even force the “might” US to swallow its pride. Several CITES international resolutions have been passed to protect endangered species for the benefit of future generations. Why the same cannot be considered to protect human species, in particular the people of Zimbabwe, who are facing the end, due to racial and radical personal interest of the US through ZIDERA.

To the understanding of concerned and worrying citizens of Zimbabwe, combating crimes against humanity is a core dispute among member states of United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), was one of the measures taken towards combating crimes against humanity. The major objectives for its establishment, was to accelerate move away from politics and consider ethics in international relations, ending impunity and ending short comings of ad hoc tribunals. If combating crimes against humanity is a genuine cause; ZIDERA must be uplifted and pave way for fruitful negotiations between Zimbabwe and the international community. ◆ The writer is a holder of Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Social Sciences, Peace and Governance @Bundira University of Science Education. Contact details 0774 491 453-andrewhumure@gmail.com.