SADC-NGO to launch Free Movement of Persons campaign

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Friday July 16, 2010 00:00

Speaking to Mmegi, Research, Advocacy and Policy Manager of SADC-NGO, Bob Muchabaiwa said the objective of the launch would be to facilitate the implementation of the protocol of movement of persons that was drafted and produced in 1995. He said the draft was resisted by some member states partly because it called for a radical approach to the issue, by setting a time frame of 10 years for SADC to achieve free movement and by making bold proposals including confirming the right of SADC citizens to free movement.

Muchabaiwa stated that the draft protocol therefore went through several revisions with its title changed from 'free' to protocol on the facilitation of movement of persons in 1997. He explained that it was only in 2005 that SADC member states adopted the significantly revised protocol on the facilitation of movement of persons.

SADC-NGO is concerned that progress on the signing and ratification of the protocol, in spite of it being too modest in its commitments is painfully slow. According to the civil organisation, five years after the adoption of the protocol, only Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland have ratified the protocol with the number falling short of the nine that is required for the protocol to be effective.

According to Muchabaiwa, the vision of free movement of persons is achievable but requires political will and resolute action to address bilateral relations and visas, peace and stability, economic disparities between countries, xenophobia, security concerns and other impacts of migration, poor infrastructure and operational inefficiencies at border gates as well as migration policies and varied migration legal regimes.

Muchabaiwa explained that the Free Movement of Persons campaign is premised on the conviction that it is an ideal that SADC member states should pursue and should have a clear road map for. Free movement, he said is one of the climax indicators of an integrated regional community. He said SADC was founded on principles of people-to-people solidarity arising from the shared cultures, history and the political and social connectedness of the people of Southern Africa. He said SADC member states should therefore acknowledge and urgently address the underlying contradictions outlined that if ignored would undermine the realisation of the right of free movement of persons.

He revealed that the civil society in the region calls for signing and ratification of the protocol, scrapping of visa requirements for short term visits of at least 90 days, efficiency and respect of migrants' rights at border posts through re-education and capacity building activities of immigration and custom officials. The regional civil societies further calls for scaling up of relevant infrastructural projects at borders, member states to begin dialogue on a regional migration policy as well as on common values and service standards leading to free movement of persons. They also call for condemnation and end to xenophobic attacks and development of efficient means for cross border traders.