Zimbabwe lawmakers approve draft constitution

(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: