Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Residents of both Bindura urban and rural have witnessed gross human rights violations committed with impunity by youth militia, war veterans and ZANU PF supporters. Bindura, the homestead for the late ZANU PF commissar Elliot Manyika has always been viewed as a volatile area due to the persecutions of people deemed to be opponents of ZANU PF. Following the historic demonstration which was held by ROHR Zimbabwe on 1 December 2008 under the Demand for Democracy and Justice Campaign, residents were exposed to massive harassment from ZANU PF supporters and state agents.

Numerous cases on the abuse of farm workers have sprouted following the on-going violent farm evasions by war veterans and top ZANU pf officials. In all these instances no arrest are made and the police is either reluctant to act or they act in favour of the aggressors. Innocent vulnerable farm workers have their rights trodden upon in the absence of objective law enforcement and the rule of law.

With this background ROHR Zimbabwe, on the 11^th of December 2009, held a public meeting at Trojan mine hall to commemorate World Human Rights Day. The event was graced by Bindura town Mayor His Worship Alderman Daniso Wakatama, councillors, Bindura Lawyer Mashayamombe of Bonyongwe and partners, veterans of the Liberation war, MDC National Youth Assembly Secretary General Solomon Madzore and ROHR Zimbabwe Secretary General Tichanzii Gandanga. Also present at the event was ROHR Zimbabwe Programmes Director Clifford Hlatywayo, Information and Publicity Officer Ronald Mureverwi, Programmes and Advocacy Officer Innocent Madhuku, Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman Gilson Maposa, Field Officer Gladys Kalonga and all committee members.

Aims and Objectives of the Programme

• To join the whole world in respecting and commemorating human rights day.
• To mobilise people to be proactive in human rights challenges.
• To make a statement to the Inclusive Government Leaders and the international community that people are not comfortable with the pace with which human rights reforms are being instituted.
• To reflect on the historical facts surrounding the issue of human rights.

Achievements

• More than six hundred people attended the event and there was fair representation in terms of sex and age.

Challenges

• The Police interfered and denied the participants the right to march and just allowed them to gather in at Trojan mine community hall under strict security conditions.
• Inadequate resources stalling preparations fearing the failure of the programme.
• Rains disrupting the commemorations as they were being held in an open and uncovered hall.

Opportunities

• The Bindura community is a highly motivated and already mobilised one because of rampant violations which characterised it. This means that the community on its own is prepared to stand up and challenge any human rights violations in their localities.
• A lot of people in Mashonaland Central are kin to participate in ROHR Zimbabwe activities.
• Programmes of this nature are easily acceptable in any community and it cuts across the political divide hence people from all political parties can participate freely including war veterans.

Recommendations

• Commemorations on the UN human rights calendar to be respected and organised by Human Rights organisations such as ROHR Zimbabwe. Such days are as follows-  
  1. Non-violent Resistance day- 20 February;
  2. UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture-26 June;
  3. Peace Day- Tuesday following second Monday of September;
  4. Africa Human Rights Day- 21 October;
  5. International Day for Tolerance-16 November;
  6. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women-25 November;
  7. World AIDS day- 01 December;
  8. International Day of Disabled Persons- 03 December;
  9. World Human Rights Day (1948) – 10 December.

• That ROHR Zimbabwe as a grassroots based organisation intensifies programmes in small towns, growth points, villages, farms and or other areas in the peripheries outside Harare since Harare is congested with other events, and already enlightened on Human rights issues.
• That resource mobilisation for such programmes be done in time and intensified to allow proper and efficient coordination.

Conclusion

It was noted that there were other victims of political violence who were in need of assistance, ranging from medication, legal, clothing, school stationary (books, pens, pencils) etc. ROHR Zimbabwe as a victim centred organisation pledged to facilitate the provision of support services to that community in its ongoing Heal the Wounds programme. An event to distribute some goods for this cause was then scheduled for 16 December. The goods were donated by Rodah Kuhlengisa, Melody Mayoyo, and Charity Nyamuzuwe all of ROHR Zimbabwe Hayes Branch in United Kingdom, we thank them for that. Also ROHR Zimbabwe wants to thank Martha Angelina Magwaza -Fundraiser, Tendai Gwanzura -Vice Chairperson and all members from ROHR Zimbabwe Chelmsford branch, UK for extending their hand in contributing towards the World Human Rights Day with some money for the T-Shirts.

For ROHR Zimbabwe

Clifford Hlatywayo

(Programmes Director)