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E-mailFrom ROHR Zimbabwe Information Department
ROHR Zimbabwe has learnt with shock the report of disturbances published by the local daily newspaper, Newsday
ROHR Zimbabwe notes with deep concern that the disturbances not only constitute a serious crime but also amount to willful disregard of the efforts being made to build peace and ensuring its sustenance during this transitional period from a legacy of violence.
ZANU PF should be worried by the irresponsibility and apparent lack of accountability by its members engaging in treacherous behavior that is tantamount to tarnishing the image of the party and damaging the national brand of the country at large. We cannot talk of peace when the rights of innocent men, women and children are being violently broken at the whim of individuals who partake of crime in the name of political patronage to appease political polarization.
ROHR Zimbabwe challenges all political party leaders to conscientise their supporters to bear the crucial responsibility of being active players to achieving peace, respect for human dignity and observance of the rule of law. The coming together of the three political parties towards an attempt to govern together is a huge statement that conflict or differences in political affiliation should never be a reason for a people to persecute each other for political expediency.
We reiterate that everyone has a right to partake in political activities of their choice without persecution and also that the police have a mandate of protecting not only that right but also the security of all citizens of Zimbabwe regardless of political affiliation as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
We also challenge the police to deal speedily with issues of political violence as they pose the biggest threat to peace as evidenced by the 2008 orgy of violence which claimed more than 200 lives.
It is sad to note that the coalition government has down-played the significant priority of accounting for the past and ensuring that justice takes centre stage in setting a good precedence for the future. ROHR Zimbabwe holds that justice is a key component to the realization of peace that can only be realized by functional independent arms of the state that include among others security forces, the judicial and independent commissions.
ROHR Zimbabwe is embarking on a media campaign to denounce political violence ahead of the next elections and advocate for a free environment that can guarantee a credible result as opposed to 2008.
For Peace, Justice and Freedom
