Statement of Solidarity with Zimbabwe Catholic Students (NMCS) and the people of Zimbabwe

Submitted by team on Tue, 2007-08-14 10:35. Advocacy

IC2007/I

Statement of Solidarity with Zimbabwe Catholic Students (NMCS) and the people of Zimbabwe

We the representatives of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-Pax Romana) met from June 25^th to July 6^thin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the theme “Empowering Student Action for Dialogue and Peace”. Throughout this session, we have reflected on how we can transform the world into one of peace and dialogue, we had the opportunity to share and reflect on the struggles and reality of the students and the ordinary people in Zimbabwe.

We are touched and disturbed by the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe which has brought untold suffering to the students and the ordinary people .We are aware that inflation has reached alarming levels making it impossible for students to meet their basic needs such as fees, shelter, food and transport. We are also saddened by the fact that academic progress and normal lives of students and ordinary people has been negatively affected. The gap between the poor and the rich has widened, many people are also becoming poorer day after day, resulting in the feeling of hopelessness.

We are deeply distressed by the fact that the freedom of speech, association and at times worship has been curtailed in these circumstances by introduction of repressive laws. Such human rights are recognized by UN and other International bodies of which Zimbabwe is a member.

In the spirit of unity and solidarity, brotherhood and sisterhood with you and all those affected, we appeal to all those responsible and involved for this deepening crisis to come up with concrete genuine strategies to solve the crises and restore conducive environment for people of Zimbabwe to carry out freely their daily activities.

To the Catholic Church leaders: We urge you to continue treating this as a matter of priority and to seriously engage or initiate dialogue with other Christians, religions and the responsible authorities to find a lasting solution to the crises.

To the Catholic Students in Zimbabwe

We would want to assure you that you are not alone for we are in solidarity and communion with you in these difficult times.
We would also want to urge you not to lose hope but to continue working for justice and peace in love and to continue with dialogue and work of love in a non violent way.
As IMCS we would also want you to remain focused on Christ and not to compromise your Christian values because of this passing phase.
We cannot imagine all the struggles you face in your daily lives and we are certain that we can do some thing to help.
As IMCS we commit ourselves to taking more actions on your behalf and to raising awareness to your situation among students around the world. We hope we can find ways to work more closely with you and your chaplains.
We encourage you not to lose hope that peace and reconciliation is possible. When we join together as one family to work for peace and dialogue, we “walk in the light of the Lord.”

To the Catholic students around the World

We call upon Catholic students and student groups around the world to work for peace in the World. Catholic students need to be mobilized to pray, reflect and act in solidarity with the students in Zimbabwe
We call upon students and student groups to call upon governments which have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe to find a suitable way of imposing such sanctions for these are affecting the innocent poor Zimbabweans and causing untold suffering to the students.
We also appeal to students to push Zimbabwe’s former colonial masters to honour their obligations on the land issue which sparked the crisis of Zimbabwe.
We appeal to all students who are capable of supplying humanitarian aid to NMCS, students and the people in Zimbabwe to do so.