MDC PRESS RELEASE
19 March 2003
ACTION FOR NATIONAL SURVIVAL

Over the past two days the people of Zimbabwe in their millions bravely demonstrated to the world that they are no longer willing to live under tyranny and poverty. The violence, the torture, murder and all other brutalities can no longer stop the people's desire to be free.

We salute the gallant efforts of all the people of Zimbabwe in their quest to be free. We give notice to the regime that the people's patience has dried out and no amount of state sponsored violence can keep them in perpetual bondage.

The events of the last two days are simply the beginning of the march towards freedom. In this regard we demand that the Mugabe regime immediately embarks on urgent programme to dismantle the basis of its tyranny.

By 31st March 2003, the regime should have addressed and resolved the following 15 urgent issues or face a popular mass action to regain the people's liberties, freedoms and dignity.

THE DEMANDS
1. An immediate release of all political prisoners, those arrested for exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate against violence, torture and general misrule.
2. Agree to a programme clearly designed to restore the legitimacy of government.
3. Stop all state-sponsored violence against the people, including torture of suspects in police custody.
4. Restore all the political and civil liberties of the people including the freedoms of assembly, association, expression and movement and in particular repeal POSA and AIPA.
5. Depoliticise food distribution
6. Disbandment of all militia groups and the restoration of war veterans to a non-political role.
7. Stop the persecution of workers, women and youth.
8. Restore a professional and non-partisan police, army and prisons service.
9. Stop the political persecution of professional soldiers, police officers, prison officers and judges.
10. Stop the political persecution of the church, its leaders and interference with the freedom of worship.
11. Restore law and order.
12. Repeal the Broadcasting Act and free the airwaves.
13. Restore academic freedom and university autonomy.
14. Put an end to the ongoing state sponsored electoral violence and fraud
15. Stop the political persecution of civil society and respect the human rights of all Zimbabweans.

Paul Themba Nyathi, MDC Spokesperson.
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WE THANK YOU, BRAVE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE We thank all the people of Zimbabwe for overwhelmingly responding to the call to take Action for National Survival. Through this successful action we won a big victory against this tyranny and all its forces of oppression.
The regime has ruled through fear and intimidation. This regime has taken pride in our silence, which had come as a result of daily torture and murder of the innocent people of Zimbabwe.

We also thank those members of the police force who maintained law and order in a non-partisan way.

This action has demonstrated beyond any doubt to the regime that we the people of Zimbabwe have no fear and will take concrete steps to reclaim our power. This regime is now nervous. Their bags are now packed as they realise who has the power. We have to prepare for the final push and they will run.
Then our victory will be complete.

It is important to realise that this two-day action is just the beginning.
The MDC leadership and partners in the civil society will soon announce further dates and forms of action that will undertaken soon. Lets all get ready for that call.

Meanwhile we must realise that this victory is just but the beginning of a sustained process that will bring about peace to the people of Zimbabwe regardless of political affiliation and ensure the beginning of a process of national healing. The police and other law enforcement agents should enforce the law impartially. The ongoing selective application of justice should have no place in our society.

This process will bring in development that will result in the creation of job opportunities and ensure that the people of this country are never again exposed to the threat of mss starvation and shortages of basic commodities.
In times of humanitarian crisis like the man-made famine currently ravaging Zimbabwe, which is direct result of the present regime's policy failures, food distribution will be done fairly to benefit all Zimbabweans.

It is for these reasons that we should prepare for the final onslaught for a people's victory. Each and every one of us has a part to play. In this regard we cherish the efforts of each and every Zimbabwean who has taken personal risk and sacrifice to bring about a free, peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe.

Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC President.