To:
The Embassy of the United States of America
33 Nine Elms Lane
London SW11 7US
ENGLAND

From:
Zimbabwe Diaspora Community Network (ZDCN)

Preamble

We, the undersigned members of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community Network (ZDCN), representing Zimbabweans across the United Kingdom and the broader diaspora, write to register our collective objection to the unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed upon the Republic of Zimbabwe by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia.

These coercive measures have caused immense and prolonged suffering to ordinary Zimbabweans and must be lifted immediately and unconditionally. They contravene international law, undermine the United Nations Charter, and represent a grave assault on the human rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Zimbabwean people.

Background and Context

The origins of these sanctions date back to 1999, when international financial institutions, under pressure from the United States and the United Kingdom, withdrew financial support to Zimbabwe. This marked the beginning of a two-decade campaign of economic isolation, culminating in legislative acts such as the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) and the EU Council Common Position 2002/145/CFSP.

These measures effectively cut Zimbabwe off from global financial systems and development assistance, depriving millions of citizens of the opportunity to participate in the world economy and to benefit from sustainable development.

Impact on Human Rights and Development

The sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe have had a devastating impact on human rights and social welfare. They have crippled vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and industry. Ordinary citizens ,not political leaders have borne the brunt of these punitive measures.

Hospitals have struggled to obtain medical supplies; children have been denied quality education; industries have collapsed; and millions have been forced into poverty and unemployment. The sanctions have not promoted democracy or good governance ,they have merely inflicted collective punishment upon innocent civilians.

Findings of the United Nations Special Rapporteur

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, Professor Alena Douhan, conducted an official visit to Zimbabwe from 18 to 28 October 2021.

In her detailed report (A/HRC/51/33/Add.2), Professor Douhan condemned the unilateral sanctions imposed outside the framework of the UN Security Council as violations of international law and the UN Charter. She stated that such measures:

•   Infringe upon the sovereign equality of states and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs;


•   Undermine the right to development guaranteed under Articles 1 and 55 of the UN Charter; and


•   Contradict the international obligation to promote economic and social progress and universal respect for human rights.

Her findings confirmed that these sanctions and the resulting “over-compliance” by financial institutions and corporations have had disastrous humanitarian consequences. They have restricted access to medicine, food, education, and clean water, and have exacerbated poverty and inequality across the country.

Professor Douhan explicitly described these measures as “a form of collective punishment” that cannot be justified by any claimed political objective. She called upon all States maintaining sanctions against Zimbabwe to “immediately lift unilateral coercive measures” and to engage in genuine dialogue grounded in mutual respect, equality, and international law.

Violation of International Law

The continued imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe breaches fundamental provisions of the UN Charter, notably:

•   Article 2(4) – which prohibits the use of force or coercive measures against the political independence of any State; and


•   Article 55 – which obliges Member States to promote economic and social progress and universal respect for human rights.

Because these sanctions were imposed without authorisation from the UN Security Council, they are unilateral coercive measures, illegal under international law, and incompatible with the principles of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Moreover, their wide-ranging social and economic consequences may amount to crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, given their foreseeable impact on civilian populations.

The False Narrative of “Targeted Sanctions”

The claim that sanctions affect only certain individuals or entities is demonstrably false. In reality, these measures have crippled the national economy, disrupted banking systems, obstructed investment, and caused widespread unemployment.

More than one hundred international banking relationships have been severed, isolating Zimbabwe from the global financial system and preventing access to credit, international payments, and development finance.

This deliberate economic strangulation has resulted in stagnant growth, currency instability, and the erosion of public services, all of which have devastated the lives of ordinary citizens.

A Call for Justice and Re-engagement

Since 2017, Zimbabwe has pursued a policy of reform, re-engagement, and reconciliation seeking peace, investment, and cooperation with the international community. Continuing to punish the nation under the pretext of promoting democracy is unjust, counter-productive, and hypocritical.

Sanctions no longer serve any constructive purpose. They undermine regional stability, penalise the most vulnerable, and stand in direct contradiction to the democratic and humanitarian values the sanctioning nations claim to uphold.

Our Demands

We, the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community Network (ZDCN), therefore demand:

1.  The immediate and unconditional lifting of all unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.


2.  Recognition that such measures violate international law and the UN Charter.


3.  Full implementation of the recommendations made by UN Special Rapporteur Professor Alena Douhan, particularly the restoration of Zimbabwe’s right to development and engagement with the international community.


4.  Restoration of normal trade, banking, and economic relations with Zimbabwe.


5.  Respect for Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and equal standing among nations.

Conclusion

Sanctions are not tools of diplomacy ,they are instruments of human suffering. They have robbed generations of Zimbabweans of opportunity, dignity, and hope.

We therefore call upon the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia to lift these coercive and unjust measures immediately and unconditionally, in line with the principles of human rights, equality, and international solidarity.

We further call upon the international community to heed the appeals of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and to support Zimbabwe’s full re-integration into the global family of nations.

Only through dialogue, respect, and partnership can Zimbabwe and its people realise their rightful place in the international community and rebuild a future based on peace, prosperity, and dignity.

Signatories

We, the undersigned members of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community Network (ZDCN), endorse this petition and affirm our collective call for justice and the restoration of Zimbabwe’s full participation in the international community.

Produced by:

1.  Kudzai Makuku


2.  Oliver Zambuko


3.  Kingston  Gurure

On behalf of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community Network (ZDCN)