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 develop-
ment, and racial reconciliation;
Whereas the people of Zimbabwe are now suffering the desta-
bilizing effects of a serious, government-sanctioned break-
down in the rule of law, which is critical to economic de-
velopment as well as domestic tranquility;
Whereas a free and fair national referendum was held in
Zimbabwe in February 2000 in which voters rejected pro-
posed constitutional amendments to increase the presi-
dent’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, in-
cluding the murder of farm workers and owners;
•HRES 500 EH
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 par-
liamentary 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 Gov-
ernment of Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement in the war
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
Whereas the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organi-
zation 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 eco-
nomic development in the entire region: Now, therefore,
be it
•HRES 500 EH
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) extends its support to the vast majority of citi-
zens 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 en-
vironment conducive to free, transparent and fair elec-
tions within the legally prescribed period;
(6) recommends international support for voter edu-
cation, domestic election monitoring, and violence moni-
toring activities;
(7) urges the United States to continue to monitor
violence and condemn brutality against law abiding citi-
zens;
•HRES 500 EH
(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 in-
timidation;
(9) recommends that the United States send a bi-
partisan delegation under the auspices of the Inter-
national Republican Institute and the National Demo-
cratic Institute for International Affairs to observe the
parliamentary election process in Zimbabwe; and
(10) desires a lasting, warm, and mutually bene-
ficial relationship between the United States and a
democratic, peaceful Zimbabwe.
Attest:
Clerk.