Madrid, Manhattan, Manica and Musina: Civic activism driving the agenda for social and political justice
Release Date: 14 March, 2005
By Kumi Naidoo, CIVICUS Secretary General
Millions of citizens of Spain and around the world observed the first anniversary of the Atocha Station, Madrid bombings during which 191 people lost their lives. The anniversary was observed with dignity and grace by the people of Madrid, alongside a major international conference on terrorism, security and democracy. Kofi Annan confirmed what civil society activists have argued for years now, that the manner in which the so-called “war on terrorism” is being waged has undermined civil liberties and other fundamental tenets of democracy and international law. Echoing several civil society activists, he said that when governments undermine human rights in the name of national security, they grant a victory to terrorism. He strongly argued that defending human rights has to be a critical component in any strategy to beat terrorism.
One of the most moving meetings I had in Madrid was with three family members who lost relatives on 11 September 2001. Their organisation, called Peaceful Tomorrows, had come to show their solidarity with the Madrid families and participate in the low key commemorations. These were US citizens who had opposed the Iraq war, who had raised $600,000 for the civilian victims of the Falluja military assaults, and who strongly embrace the view that honouring the memory of those that had been killed means working for a just, global peace.
Meanwhile in Manhattan, the women’s movement was lobbying hard to ensure that the hard-won gains secured at the Beijing conference in 1995 would not be reversed as a few governments were seeking to ensure. There can be little doubt that the modest victories scored in New York last week would not have been achievable if it were not for the activism of the women’s movement over decades.
Given that 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action and the 5th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), 2600 NGOs and other civil society groups present in Manhattan, New York last week used the opportunity to promote the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, which aims to mobilise massive popular pressure for the world's governments to make significant progress on poverty reduction during 2005.
On Saturday and Sunday, in Musina, South Africa and in Zambia and Mozambique, under the banner of the Zimbabwe Solidarity Rally, more than eight thousand citizens of Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia rallied in support of their fellow citizens in Zimbabwe and to express concern regarding the “abuse of fundamental rights in Zimbabwe”.
In Musina, which is close to the Zimbabwean border, the “18 hours of solidarity” organised by the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), Amnesty International and CIVICUS attracted 3000 people who participated in a march, a solidarity concert and an all night vigil. Simultaneously in Lusaka, Zambia, 5000 people gathered at a solidarity concert, even though police restrictions meant that a planned march to the border post was restricted to 200 people.
In Manica, Mozambique, both the march and the concert were cancelled after permission was revoked hours before the event. It appears that political considerations, rather than safety concerns were behind these restrictions in Mozambique and Zambia. This led to several tense hours as those that had travelled to Manica from various parts of Mozambique were informed of the cancellation.
This last week shows, yet again, that civil society leadership, as in the case of Southern African civil society organisations encouraging a more courageous intervention by Southern African governments around Zimbabwe, is critical for safeguarding democracy and promoting civic rights. It also shows the tenacity, perseverance and commitment of civil society, to ensure that notwithstanding the flawed global policymaking environment, governments are not allowed to withdraw from earlier commitments without a fight. Madrid showed us again the vision of civil society organisations in warning against excesses in the security response to terrorist attacks, and that as is often the case, civil society voices might be ignored at first but with effort and endurance, backed by well thought through arguments and evidence, progress can be secured.
Whatever is on your agenda for this week take comfort in knowing that millions of citizens, like you, are working to a broad agenda of making the world a more just place.
Best wishes,
Kumi Naidoo
Please send your comments and suggestions to e-mail kumi@civicus.org.
