The opposition Citizens Coalition For Change led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has argued that the remarks which were made by Hopewell Chin'ono that Western countries should further sanction the Zimbabwean government for the gross violation of human rights whilst presenting a speech in Switzerland did not represent the position of the party.
In a statement recorded by Daily Monitor, party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said:
"The CCC notes with deep worry and concern that Mr Hopewell Chin'ono’s statements made in a speech during the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy have caused uproar and the party wishes to clarify its position regarding the same.
It is the party’s view that Mr Hopewell Chin'ono’s views as expressed at the Summit and widely quoted in the press were his own personal opinions, which he gave in his personal capacity.
For the record, the CCC is a new party and has never advocated for sanctions as a means of resolving the national crisis. We have never lobbied for the imposition of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe. If anything, we have always been the victims of the devastating economic impact of these sanctions.
The CCC is deeply worried about the escalating national crisis and to this end; the party will continuously engage Its international allies to mitigate several economic challenges bedeviling the country. Our re-engagement drive with our international allies does not in any way entail illegal and unconstitutional means of solving the national crisis.
Once again, the CCC wishes to further clarify that Mr Hopewell Chin'ono is not yet officially a member and neither does he occupy a position in the party. Therefore any attempt to portray the CCC in any other way is disingenuous and unfortunate." She concluded.
