We, the young people of the World Youth Movement for Democracy,
Sharing a belief in democratic principles and human rights standards;
Committing ourselves to ending the mass human rights violations in Zimbabwe;
Noting that young people are at the forefront of democracy promotion in Zimbabwe and are a recognized force to bring change to the country;
Alarmed by the continuous repression of young people and students in Zimbabwe engaged in democracy work by means of expulsion from universities and schools, intimidation, violence and even imprisonment;
Disappointed by the manipulation of young people to legitimize the Zimbabwean government and harassment towards those that dissent;
Speaking out against young people suffering from the oppression of the Zimbabwean government;
Expressing our solidarity with youth imprisoned or facing trial due to their political beliefs and activism in Zimbabwe, for example:
- Obert Masaraure and many others who were arrested on June 16, Day of the African Child, for protesting exorbitant tuition fees at the University of Zimbabwe;
- Duke Mudenge, age 25, was detained in April due to a screensaver on his cell phone which depicted President Mugabe changing into a baboon;
- Masvingo Polytechnic students who were detained and tortured by members of the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) on May 27 due to protesting examination fees at their college;
- A group of 26 university students charged with holding an unlawful meeting with the intention of public violence- the meeting was in fact to discuss Minister of Higher Education Stan Mudenge’s policy regarding student tuition fees;
- And many others in the country...
Calling for the immediate release of these persons and others, and the end of the use of imprisonment to silence the voice of youth activists;
Committing ourselves to engaging young people, civil society and governments to push the Zimbabwean government to release young political prisoners and to end the use of violence and harassment towards young activists.
