Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Last week on Friday 17 October 2008 , ROHR Zimbabwe organised another protest in Mutare which attracted more than 150 people.

The demonstration was however diffused and crashed by violent youths suspected to be Zanu PF sponsored, who turned violent and started attacking people who were scheduled to start a peaceful protest. Several people were assaulted, severely injuring Clifford Hlatshwayo, our co-ordinator responsible for the demand For Democracy and justice campaign launched in Harare on 10 October 2008 through a massive protest in Harare Fliers with our demand were nevertheless distributed to the public in the streets of Mutare.

The protests come at a time when the GNU, which has had a fair share of criticism from civic organisations which felt the flawed process arriving to "The Deal" was was exclusionary and produced a government that did not represent the wishes and aspirations of the people. The people deserve a right to a government of their choice, one that is a product of free and fair  elections held under a conducive and peaceful environment.

The political dynamics now seem to be exposing the inconceivability of a mutual cooperation and coexistence of the ttwo political parties ZANU PF and MDC. The negotiations between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, the leaders of ZANU PF and MDC respectively have failed to bring forth a cabinet for the nation that is operating in an auto-pilot mode and desperately in need of a new leadership. The calls for a poll as a remedy to the current impasse are increasing as it seems apparent that the compromise arrangement of incorporating winners and losers of an election in a new government are proving to be too daunting a task and a costly venture for the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering everyday.

Therefore ROHR Zimbabwe will not stop to demand for Democracy and Justice, through protests, until Zimbabwe holds credible elections that awards the citizenry their right to choose a leader and a government of their choice.

Here is the wording of the fliers that are being distributed to the people of Zimbabwe nationally during the demonstrations.

THE DEMAND FOR DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE CAMPAIGN

•  We are tired of waiting for a new government that can restore our hope for a better and prosperous Zimbabwe
• The Government of National Unity (GNU) is not what Zimbabweans voted for on 29 th March 2008
• People want a leader of their choice not one imposed on us through private negotiations
• WE DEMAND FREE, FAIR, PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS NOW
• We want to see all people who were responsible for the killings, rape, abductions, plunder, intimidation and harassment of innocent citizens after the March election arrested and brought to book
• WE DEMAND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE NOW
• We demand a government of the people's choice whose priority is to bring back our dignity, our cash, our food, our education, our health, our jobs, our pride and our lives NOW