(Vatican Radio) Zimbabwe lawmakers on Friday finalized a draft constitution following
four years of debate. The process of formulating the current draft constitution stems
from a power-sharing agreement reached in 2008 between the Zimbabwe African National
Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) – headed by president Robert Mugabe – and the Movement
for Democratic Change. The agreement was made in the wake of Mugabe’s controversial
re-election in 2008.
The new constitution will be resubmitted to the people
for approval in a referendum in the next couple of months, and will form the basis
for new elections which are expected to take place next June.
Dennis Benton
is the press officer for Zimbabwe Vigil, a coalition which gathers weekly at Zimbabwe’s
London embassy to protest against human rights violations which occur under the country’s
current regime. He spoke with Vatican Radio about the draft constitution and its broader
implications.
“It’s a very controversial document,” Benton said. “Some of the
most vocal critics have pointed to points in the new constitution which appear to
provide for immunity for past human rights abuses.”
Although many have opposed
the process from the beginning on the basis that it has been driven by politicians,
Benton expects that the referendum will pass on the basis that the process has been
extremely expensive, and has often been accompanied by violence.
“There’s
a fierce debate under way now in Zimbabwe about the nature of this new constitution.
Many people are saying it’s the best we can get. It clears the way for elections.
Others are saying that we’ve given away too much to ZANU-PF. ”
Listen
here to Zimbabwe Vigil press officer Dennis Benton’s interview with Ann Schneible: