Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-07-04-Speech-2-114"
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"en.20000704.4.2-114"2
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"Mr President, the political pressure that preceded the elections and the flagrant manner in which President Mugabe encouraged the violence means that we are not talking now about free and proper elections, although we were sincerely convinced on polling day itself that we were witnessing a desire to hold an irreproachable election. Everything spoke of a genuine desire on the part of the people of Zimbabwe to build a democratic civil society.
The events of Zimbabwe compel us, however, to consider the relationship between democracy and values, and this may be the right forum for that, as we refer to the EU as a society of values. At the same time we openly admit that the EU cannot dash about the world paternally handing out advice to others from on high. It is a matter of dialogue. That was what Pierre Schori, as leader of the EU delegation of election observers, also demonstrated admirably.
Something happened in Zimbabwe that should make every politician consider how we can prevent the demoralising effects of power – among ourselves also. Why does a former hero of a nation, the father figure of a struggle for independence, now allow the use of violence simply to underpin his own authority? And what has happened to a person’s soul and sense of morality when he has the audacity to proclaim during the elections that the government will be staying in power, no matter what the result?
The philosopher and theologian, Niebuhr, once said that a person’s sense of what is right makes democracy possible, but his inclinations in the opposite direction make democracy absolutely necessary. In other words: a person’s virtue makes democracy possible; on the other hand, his vices make it necessary. I think this is one of the truest remarks ever made about democracy. It follows that, in order to flourish, democracy needs its internal structures to be looked at critically and, indeed, has to be prepared to submit to criticism. That means that we are willing, in the name of democracy, to encourage people to take a critical stand as citizens. On the other hand, it requires transparency in decision making and the flow of information. Only in this way can democracy preserve its self-remedying nature.
In Zimbabwe I also realised very clearly that we cannot speak of human rights without the recognition of human dignity. It is just empty talk unless it is committed to the unique value and integrity of the individual. At the same time, I would like to pay my respects to those thirty or more victims of violence who were to die whilst expressing their desire to struggle in favour of a free civil society."@en1
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