[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 500 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 500

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
violence, breakdown of rule of law, and troubled pre-election period in 
                       the Republic of Zimbabwe.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2000

  Mr. Gilman (for himself and Mr. Hastings of Florida) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
violence, breakdown of rule of law, and troubled pre-election period in 
                       the Republic of Zimbabwe.

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 development, and racial reconciliation;
Whereas the people of Zimbabwe are now suffering the destabilizing effects of a 
        serious, government-sanctioned breakdown in the rule of law, which is 
        critical to economic development as well as domestic tranquility;
Whereas a free and fair national referendum was held in Zimbabwe in February 
        2000 in which voters rejected proposed constitutional amendments to 
        increase the president'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, including the murder of farm workers 
        and owners;
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 no date has been set for parliamentary 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 Government of Zimbabwe's 
        ongoing involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
Whereas the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization 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 economic development in 
        the entire region: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) extends its support to the vast majority of citizens 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 
        environment conducive to free, transparent and fair elections 
        within the legally prescribed period;
            (6) recommends international support for voter education, 
        domestic election monitoring, and violence monitoring 
        activities;
            (7) urges the United States to continue to monitor violence 
        and condemn brutality against law abiding citizens;
            (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 intimidation;
            (9) recommends that the United States send a bipartisan 
        delegation under the auspices of the International Republican 
        Institute and the National Democratic Institute for 
        International Affairs to observe the parliamentary election 
        process in Zimbabwe; and
            (10) desires a lasting, warm, and mutually beneficial 
        relationship between the United States and a democratic, 
        peaceful Zimbabwe.
                                 <all>