adminHerald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Information Centre (ZIC) in Sydney, Australia, has launched an online anti-sanctions campaign to request their Australian government to remove its sanctions regime against Zimbabwe, as this continues to be an impediment to an independent Zimbabwe’s efforts to fully transform the economy.
Australia imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe in 2002 following similar actions by the United States and the European Union at the behest of Britain at the onset of the Land Reform Programme that sought to correct historical injustices in land ownership brought about by years of colonial misrule.
The sanctions were adjusted in 2012 and 2013 allegedly due to progress made, and change of circumstances ushered in by the inclusive Government that ran from 2009 to 2013.
This regime of sanctions follows the long-running United Nations British sponsored mandatory economic sanctions, which were meant to bring down the minority Smith regime within “weeks”, according to then British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Rhodesia survived till 1980 when Zimbabwe gained independence, thus showing that sanctions do not work but hurt the ordinary citizens.
ZIC insists the Australian sanctions are out of date and urges Australians, Zimbabweans and people from other parts of the world, to add their voices to the petition by signing it in support of social justice, restoration of dignity of Zimbabweans.
“By lifting these residual “smart sanctions,” Australia would increase pressure on the USA, UK and Europe to also lift these outdated measures with their perverse sweeping impacts on ordinary Zimbabweans,” reads the petition initiated by ZIC and addressed to Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong.
The anti-sanctions initiative was started on June 29 and by 6pm yesterday, 103 signatures had been obtained out of a target of 200. Fifty-four people signed last week alone.
ZIC is an Australian civil support organisation born out of student activism as part of the anti-apartheid movement of Australian students operating under the auspices of the Southern Africa Liberation Centre (SALC) in the 1970s.
To this day, ZIC is still active. Some of that original committee members having risen to prominence in Australasia, were involved in organising and hosting chairman Herbert Chitepo in a visit to Australasia in 1973, as chairman of the Joint Military Command, and representing all African liberation movements.
To sign the petition, one can follow the link <https://chng.it/tm62HLSy>
Online Reporter