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LONDON - The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) met in London on 30 January 2002and its concluding statement contained the following references to the situation in Zimbabwe.

The Group reviewed the situation in Zimbabwe in the light of developments since its last meeting on 20 December 2001. It expressed its deep concern over the continued violence, political intimidation and actions against the freedom and independence of the media.

The Group also condemned the recently enacted Public Order and Security Act and the General Laws Amendment Act, as well as the proposed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, as further direct curbs on the freedom of speech, of the press, and association in Zimbabwe and contrary to the Commonwealth's fundamental political values as enshrined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration.

The Group expressed the strongest concern that the statement by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Chief and the recent and foreshadowed legislation constituted a direct threat to the conduct of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

CMAG noted that President Mugabe had publicly issued an invitation to the Commonwealth, amongst other international and regional organisations, to send observers to the forthcoming Presidential Election.

It called for the immediate deployment of such observers by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and for the full co-operation of the Government of Zimbabwe in facilitating the operation of the Commonwealth and other international and domestic observers during the election period, which had already begun.

The Group expressed its full support for the process established by the Abuja Agreement, reached at the initiative of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, including the President's ongoing mediation efforts and expressed its great appreciation to President Obasanjo.

The Group looked forward to the publication of the United Nations Development Programme report on equitable and sustainable land reform in Zimbabwe and expressed support for the involvement of the UNDP in this process, as agreed at Abuja.

The Group expressed support for the initiative by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in encouraging a peaceful outcome to the situation in Zimbabwe in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.

CMAG further called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that:

- there is an immediate end to violence and intimidation and that the police and army refrain from party political statements and activities,

- All parties in the election be allowed to campaign freely without intimidation or fear of recrimination.

- The people of Zimbabwe are able to make an unfettered and informed choice in the elections, inter alia through full access to information from the media.

The Group decided that Zimbabwe would remain on its formal agenda and agreed to draw up its recommendations to CHOGM at its next meeting, taking into account the Government of Zimbabwe's response to these concerns, in the light of information received from the Secretary-General.

The Group noted that the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme provides for a range of measures from Commonwealth disapproval to suspension.

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