ROHR-ZIMBABWE IS LAUNCHED IN WAKEFIELD!
Wed, 10 Dec 08 14:48
Donnah Mugoni
ROHR-Zimbabwe is now in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, as from 15 November 2008! The branch took its momentum from the tireless efforts of the UK Co-ordinator Mr Paradzai Mapfumo and Northern Region Chairperson, Donnah Mugoni in the noble struggle for the restoration of human rights in Zimbabwe. The inaugural branch meeting started at 13.00 hours. Ms Mugoni introduced the guest speaker; Mr Mapfumo to all gathered who in turn explained the aims of ROHR Zimbabwe and its activities. He further stated that ROHR was founded as a brain child of its President Mr Ephraim Tapa, who, with a few others concerned about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, came together to form the organisation.
Both Mr Mapfumo and Ms Mugoni echoed the same sentiments about the need to help Zimbabweans both inside Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora. To that end, ROHR Zimbabwe is lobbying the international community to recognise Zimbabweans in the Diaspora for purposes of work permits and scholarships with a view to capacitating them for the reconstruction of the post-crisis Zimbabwe. ROHR also campaigns for access to free legal aid to those without the means as we hold the view that ACCESS DENIED is JUSTICE DENIED. We feel that Zimbabweans have been traumatised from experiences such as political persecutions, rape, property grabbing, property destruction, family members being abducted and disappearing, community cleansing, and that they deserve a measure of relief.
The meeting was informed that ROHR Zimbabwe was currently working inside Zimbabwe providing humanitarian assistance such as clothing, medicines, safe housing of activists and legal assistance to the vulnerable and victims of political violence. The Branch meeting was also addressed by Bradford secretary, Margaret Chihotah, who said that ROHR Zimbabwe is a non-partisan political human rights movement. Ms Beauty Sikhosana added that, many were willing to support the cause and cited the SDA church members in the USA who were going to places singing to raise funds for a hospital outside Bulawayo. An interim committee for Wakefield branch was elected with the following members: Chaiperson- Donnah Mugoni, Vice Chair- Patience Karuwa, Secrcetary- Beauty Sikosana, Organising Secretary- Victor Songore, Treasurer- Bongani Hove, Vice Treasurer- Esther Mukwaira, Fundraiser- Prudence Chikozhere, Vice Fundraiser- Sydney Moyo By Donnah Mugoni
Last Updated ( Tue, 16 Dec 08 14:20 )
Bournemouth Launch Report
Fri, 05 Dec 08 09:49
Phyllis Chibanguza
A new day, a new beginning! Yet another Chapter, as ROHR Bournemouth Branch is launched.
Despite the biting cold weather, people turned up in their numbers in support of their country, Zimbabwe. A prayer from Retina Mkanda, introductions from Mr Paradzai Mapfumo then a brief account about ROHR Zimbabwe from Phyllis Chibanguza marked the opening of the proceedings.
With us as key speaker was Mr Ephraim Tapa, the President and founder of ROHR Zimbabwe who recounted his gruesome experiences while in Zimbabwe, at the hands of ZANU PF and Government sponsored militia. Based on countless of human rights abuses and his own ordeal, Mr Tapa informed the gathering that ROHR Zimbabwe was formed in realisation of the need to help and stop the suffering in Zimbabwe. He explained that ROHR is about empowering the disempowered by conscientising the people to their rights and helping them to fight themselves free.
Mr Tapa added that the current cholera epidemic ravaging Zimbabwe smacked of a deliberate plan to decimate those in urban centres on account of their disaffection with ruling elite. He said Zimbabweans, like any other human beings deserved to be treated with dignity and respect and lamented about the lack of basic rights and freedoms in Zimbabwe. He challenged all Zimbabweans in the diaspora to come together and join hands with fellow Zimbabweans at home in the fight for genuine peace, justice and freedom. Lastly, Mr Tapa told the meeting that ROHR Zimbabwe, had a humanitarian, watchdog and activist role to play now as well as in the post-crisis Zimbabwe and that it would not accept the bringing back of Mugabe by the backdoor, the so-called power sharing deal – when the people clearly voted for change on 29 March 2008.
Following the president’s speech, there was a lively discussion with the audience who vowed never to return to Zimbabwe as long as Mugabe was in charge. They instead expressed a sense of gratitude for the ROHR Zimbabwe project and pledged their commitment to restoring human rights in Zimbabwe.
As ROHR Zimbabwe we say NO MORE of the SAME SUFFERING, enough is enough!
Many thanks to all that supported on this day and may God Bless you all.
Come on Bournemouth…we can do it!!!
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Come all Zimbabweans, restore your rights!!!!!
Sun, 30 Nov 08 19:24
Des Parayiwa
Many Zimbabweans wonder what ROHR is all about. RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Zimbabwe is an organization that seeks to restore the human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans. ROHR is a non-party political organization aimed at empowering the people of Zimbabwe towards the achievement of Peace, Justice and Freedom. We campaign against the ruthless and insensitive dictatorship of Robert Mugabe and all would-be dictators. We campaign for the sanctity of life, equality of all before the law, respect and human dignity.
ROHR Zimbabwe is the sister organization to the Zimbabwe vigil that seeks to educate and enlighten the Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora of their rights in addition to raising awareness to the international community. The hope is that the people of Zimbabwe will speak with one voice to the international community against the government of Robert Mugabe, which continues to persecute defenceless and innocent the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe. We remain indebted to the President of the organization Mr Ephraim Tapa who is the brains behind the formation and character of this organization. We also thank his dedicated supporting team that includes the UK co-ordinator, Paradzai Mapfumo, Mr Wellington Munyemweri chairman of Kent, Emnah Zibgowa, Chair Birmingham and Des Parayiwa V-chair Birmingham. We are also inspired by the tireless efforts of Joana Zhira, organizer Stoke-on-Tent, Pauline Mutema chair stoke, Donnah Mugoni Northern Chairperson, who always make every effort to be part of ROHR activities, whatever it takes. The struggle to gain a democratic Government and respect requires dedicated members that will stand firm and fight for their rights to be addressed. We are pleased to hear a significant number of people have come forth to join the rights organization. In Coventry Zimbabweans turned up in multiples asking the question, “where have you been all this time?” We seek Peace, freedom, Justice, the right to life (basic needs) of which the regime has failed to provide for its people. The coming of Mr Tapa and his mission to restore human rights has answered many prayers and instilled hope in many. When he started, I do not think the President expected this message to resonate with many and be received with so much zeal. ROHR will continue to call upon all Zimbabweans to join hands and fight for their rights. It’s time we stand up together and exercise our Democratic Rights, and to say enough is enough to Mugabe. ROHR is calling upon all Zimbabweans to come and help us fight this good fight and restore what is rightfully ours.
Vigil UK, Des Parayiwa
Last Updated ( Thu, 19 Feb 09 01:18 )
CAPITAL CITY OF CULTURE HUMAN RIGHTS DEMONSTRATIONS
Tue, 25 Nov 08 07:24
Isaac Ndoro
Once again Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe(ROHR) activists in Liverpool were out in full force with placards as they highlighted the plight being faced by Zimbabweans . Braving the biting cold they continued to hand out fliers and had their petition signed in support to their cause. Their placards told their miserable story .Zimbabweans are now living in fear of the cholera pandemic that is spreading like wildfire there has been an upsurge in reported cholera cases during the past fortnight.
The state of affairs at major hospitals in Harare remains bad as doors have been closed to the sick for the past three weeks. Harare Central Hospital, normally a hive of activity, was deserted hospital would however admit critical patients under special circumstances. ROHR would like to thank the community of Liverpool for the immense support they have shown since these demonstrations started. For the record: 203 signed the petition. Report by I. Ndoro ( Interim Chairman ROHR Liverpool)
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