H. Res. 500

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

June 19, 2000.

Whereas people around the world supported the Republic of

Zimbabwe’s quest for independence, majority rule, and

the protection of human rights and the rule of law;

Whereas Zimbabwe, at the time of independence in 1980,

showed bright prospects for democracy, economic development, and racial reconciliation;

Whereas the people of Zimbabwe are now suffering the destabilizing effects of a serious, government-sanctioned breakdown in the rule of law, which is critical to economic development as well as domestic tranquility;

Whereas a free and fair national referendum was held in

Zimbabwe in February 2000 in which voters rejected proposed constitutional amendments to increase the president’s authorities to expropriate land without payment;

Whereas the President of Zimbabwe has defied two high

court decisions declaring land seizures to be illegal;

Whereas previous land reform efforts have been ineffective

largely due to corrupt practices and inefficiencies within

the Government of Zimbabwe;

Whereas recent violence in Zimbabwe has resulted in several

murders and brutal attacks on innocent individuals, including the murder of farm workers and owners;
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Whereas violence has been directed toward individuals of all

races;

Whereas the ruling party and its supporters have specifically

directed violence at democratic reform activists seeking to

prepare for upcoming parliamentary elections;

Whereas the offices of a leading independent newspaper in

Zimbabwe have been bombed;

Whereas the Government of Zimbabwe has not yet publicly

condemned the recent violence;

Whereas President Mugabe’s statement that thousands of

law-abiding citizens are enemies of the state has further

incited violence;

Whereas 147 out of 150 members of the Parliament in

Zimbabwe (98 percent) belong to the same political

party;

Whereas June 24 and June 25, 2000, are the dates for parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe;

Whereas the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe now exceeds 60

percent and political turmoil is on the brink of destroying

Zimbabwe’s economy;

Whereas the economy is being further damaged by the Government of Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement in the war

in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

Whereas the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has issued a warning that Zimbabwe faces a food

emergency due to shortages caused by violence against

farmers and farm workers; and

Whereas events in Zimbabwe could threaten stability and economic development in the entire region: Now, therefore,

be it
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Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) extends its support to the vast majority of citizens of the Republic of Zimbabwe who are committed to

peace, economic prosperity, and an open, transparent

parliamentary election process;

(2) strongly urges the Government of Zimbabwe to

enforce the rule of law and fulfill its responsibility to

protect the political and civil rights of all citizens;

(3) supports those international efforts to assist

with land reform which are consistent with accepted

principles of international law and which take place after

the holding of free and fair parliamentary elections;

(4) condemns government-directed violence against

farm workers, farmers, and opposition party members;

(5) encourages the local media, civil society, and all

political parties to work together toward a campaign environment conducive to free, transparent and fair elections within the legally prescribed period;

(6) recommends international support for voter education, domestic election monitoring, and violence monitoring activities;

(7) urges the United States to continue to monitor

violence and condemn brutality against law abiding citizens;
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(8) congratulates all the democratic reform activists

in Zimbabwe for their resolve to bring about political

change peacefully, even in the face of violence and intimidation;

(9) recommends that the United States send a bipartisan delegation under the auspices of the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs to observe the

parliamentary election process in Zimbabwe; and

(10) desires a lasting, warm, and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and a

democratic, peaceful Zimbabwe.

Attest:

Clerk.