Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

ROHR Zimbabwe attended the European Leadership Conference held at the House of Commons, London from 15^th to 17^th June. We had the opportunity to interact with civil society leaders drawn from Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa. The theme of the conference was “Human Rights: Protection of the Unempowered and the Dispossessed”. 

Apart from myself, ROHR Zimbabwe was represented by its Founder and President, Ephraim Tapa, the current UK Chairperson, Catherine Tshezi, Vice Secretary, Tapiwa Semwayo, Vice Organising Secretary – Mary Ndoro, Cephas Maswoswa, a member and Mr Arnold Magwanyata. From speaker after speaker, delegates heard how education and awareness campaigns were key to the protection of the unempowered and the dispossessed. We heard numerous examples of educational works being done in countries like Yemen, Sudan, Congo, Germany, Austria and Sweden, towards raising awareness on human rights. We also learnt that providing logistical support to those in need was crucial to taking the human rights agenda forward.

It reminded me of the situation in Zimbabwe where the military junta is angling to take more political power through constitutional means. We also recently learnt from a Zimbabwe minister that the Marange diamond fields were owned by the Zimbabwe Military Corporation (ZMC) and the Chinese Army. It is no wonder that the securocrats continue to hold up Zimbabwe’s march towards democracy; businessmen-cum-politicians in army uniform.  They continue to disempower and marginalise the people and many have been massacred for their love of diamonds and power. They need to be exposed.

As ROHR Zimbabwe we need to join hands with other human rights organisations nationally, regionally and internationally and demand that they be held to account. More educational work needs to be undertaken to conscientise the masses on their rights and the international frameworks available for their protection. Human rights education needs to be part of the primary and secondary schools curriculum in order to inculcate the values of humanity, human dignity and peace from a very young age and remove fear from the citizenry.

It is my belief that ROHR Zimbabwe must keep on fighting for the suppressed, speak for the voiceless and cooperate with other countries to bring about change for the good of mankind.

The following days should see ROHR hold educational workshops for our volunteer activists and engage in exchange programmes with other organisations in order to learn from each other and strengthen our solidarity.