Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

A new beginning is never easy from conception to birth the path of the Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe (ROHR) has never been easy. Such was the path of the launch of the Birmingham chapter ROHR. After enduring the hustle of locating a reasonably cheap venue that was large enough to hold the multitudes of people that never was. I, Emnah Zibgowa and fellow activist Tsitsi Bondeponde set about designing a flyer with the expert help of Mr Mapfumo the esteemed co-ordinator of the organisation in the UK . It fell to me, Tsitsi Bondeponde and Mr Parayiwa to distribute the flyers and spread the word. The meeting its, was scheduled for the 13 th September 2008 .

I think before I go into detail about the meeting itself perhaps it would be sensible to talk about the Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe. This was the brain child of Mr Tapa, and together with Mr Zvorwadza and Mr Justine Shawgray began the organisation in earnest in 2007. ROHR is the active arm of the Zimbabwe Vigil its main aim as presented in the title is to restore human rights in Zimbabwe . We aim to empower Zimbabweans and to make them conscious of their human rights. These can be as basic as the right to nourishment, the right to shelter, and the right to par-take in a free and fair election amongst others. It is mainly functional in Zimbabwe with demonstrations, civic action and naming and shaming the perpetrators of human rights abuses being main trust in terms of action in Zimbabwe . The day of the meeting itself everything ran as expected, very bumpy to say the least.

Fortunately and more importantly the meeting began on time with the esteemed guests arriving on time. These by the way were Mr Ephraim Tapa the president of ROHR, Mr Standrick Zvorwadza the vice president; whom I might add was an especially special guest since he is based in Zimbabwe, Mr Paradzai Mapfumo the UK co-ordinator and Mrs Donnah Mugoni, the chairperson for Wakefield representing the north of England. Proceeding began with a prayer, the singing of the national anthem and the introduction of the honoured guests.

The meeting was enthused by the presence of Mr Zvorwadza who gave a chilling account of the grime reality of life back home in Zimbabwe . He talked about how he at one time had to spend the night at the railway station in fear of his life since the CIO operatives were after him. He also spoke of how a ROHR activist had to witness three of his fellow activist being gruesomely killed by the CIO and how by the shear grace of God he managed to escape. Mr Zvorwadza was not just the bearer of bad news he also gave an assurance that the organisation were currently in talks with very senior British government officials so that the asylum cases of Zimbabweans would be given very serious consideration because the threat to their lives is real and ever present. Perhaps as a sign of their gratitude or sympathy, a collection was made for some of the activists in Zimbabwe in need of medical attention. I say gratitude because nothing warms the heart quite like knowing that someone is doing something about your asylum claim.

The vice president was very grateful for the support being given to ROHR in Zimbabwe by the members in the UK and in South Africa .

Mr Zvorwadza's words were echoed by Mr Tapa who stressed the need to work even harder because the task in Zimbabwe is mammoth one. It is therefore the responsibility of those in position of having to provide for the have nots.

Mr Tapa took questions from the floor which chief amongst them was that of how ROHR can help in their asylum cases. To which the answer was, ROHR can aid in the case of claiming asylum or logging a fresh claim. The fact that ROHR is actively seeking the prosecution of those responsible for human rights abuses in Zimbabwe , makes anyone involved with ROHR an enemy of the state. It is therefore imperative that they receive protection from any government that respects human rights.

The interim committee was elected and the following appointed: Chairperson – Emnah Zibgowa, Vice Chairperson – Desperate Parayiwa, Secretary – Victoria Mauluka, Organising Secretary – Rebecca Mlambo, Treasurer – Farirai Mliswa, Vice Treasurer – Dorothy Ndebele, Fundraisers – Mandlenkosi Ncube / Dorothy Ndebele / Florence Sibanda, Information and Publicity – Victoria Kurume, Activists – Tsitsi Bondeponde / Florence Sibanda / Joanna Dhokwane Fungai Jaka / Epiphania Mutipeni / Tsitsi Mavhura.

The day ended with the message that the new appointed committee should work even harder to recruit new members, so that the work can intensify in Zimbabwe in light of the power sharing agreement between Zanu PF and the MDC, which will obviously do nothing for the disaffected people of Zimbabwe . The hope is this is the beginning of a new dawn in the conscience of Zimbabweans as a people, so that we star t looking out for each other as a people. And maybe we can restore our dignity, our pride and our human rights.

Emnah Zibgowa (Chairperson Birmingham)