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ROHR Bournemouth meets the MP for Poole – 19th November 2010

Thursday, 25 November 2010 22:06 Sledge Bova, Bournemouth Vice Chair

ROHR Bournemouth branch members: Sledge Bova (Vice Chair), Gibson Chigodora (Organising Secretary) and Memory Dzepasi (Activist) met the Honourable MP for Poole Mr Robert Syms at his office in Sandbanks Poole on 19the November at 4 pm.

Sledge introduced the ROHR team and made known to Mr Syms what ROHR stood for and its policies. The MP asked how many active members Bournemouth had and how often we met.

Sledge also made known to the MP ROHR Bournemouth’s will to take part in any events his constituency may organise. He informed the MP of the Xmas fundraising event and reiterated the fact the proceeds will help activists on the ground in Zimbabwe logistically. Mr Syms was invited to the event and asked for the details of the Venue.

Sledge updated the MP on the current political situation in Zimbabwe and the Home Office's latest decision to resume deportations on failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers. The MP promised to talk to the Home Office and immigration officials on this matter. Gibson also highlighted the difficulties Zimbabweans face since the UK Government wants everyone to pay to have their cases heard by the courts.

Memory asked the MP for help with accommodation, money and food vouchers for our members in his constituency as most of them are not allowed to work and are not on benefits. MP promised to be in touch soon.

Check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/ for photos.

Launch of Wolverhampton Branch - 30 October 2010.

Friday, 19 November 2010 22:03 Phyllis Chibanguza, UK Coordinator

Another day in the year, 30^th October 2010, a new branch has been formed! This time it's ROHR Wolverhampton. It was such a beautiful day which started off quite slowly. We couldn't imagine the turn out. People were there, not for anything else but for the real cause, it was about ROHR Zimbabwe.

Introductions kicked off from Ms Phyllis Chibanguza with an opening prayer from Mrs T Marambi. The proceedings passed on to the National Organising secretary Ms Pamela Dunduru, who then took time to share with us the background of the organisation and also some experiences that some of the members of the organisation had face like torture and victimisation.

As the day progressed, the floor was open for open discussions which got interesting for most of us, this was an opportunity for most people as they had a time to air their views and opinions. With us was the National Coordinator, Mr P Mapfumo who was happy to chip in the discussion and was in a position to answer most if not all the arising matters. He also encouraged each and everyone to be involved in the Zimbabwean activities as we are the watchdog for our fellow Zimbabweans, the need to educate other Zimbabweans of their rights to peace, freedom and justice. Ms Sandra Ndlovu shared with us the programme that had been on air the previous night (the unreported world) which touched many of the Zimbabweans and most had their say on the programme, how they felt about the way our fellow Zimbabweans are earning a living. Ranganai Moyo, Manda Mtandwa also had their say on how they felt after watching that programme. It was really sad I must say and an example of Rohr Peterborough was given on how they are raising awareness in their community being involved in activities like litter picking, (well done Peterborough!) Also fundraising events were encouraged and at this point, Mr VJ Mujeye (National Fundraising) team member reminded people in taking part in the forthcoming fundraising event.

On the point of raising awareness in the community, Christina Zhanji took pride in the work of Chelmsford Branch, also taking part in community activities and education of other Zimbabweans on the Zimbabwe situation' (Well done Chelmsford!) Keep up the good work. Wolverhampton was encouraged to follow the same steps as we felt the needs of our country that is going down.

Ms Catherine Tewo shared with others the meeting she had attended at Lancaster house and the impact it might have on other Zimbabweans that are fighting for their country’s rights, and now fearing for their safety especially in the forthcoming election. People of Zimbabwe surely don't need any more blood-shed, they demand exposure to those causing the bloodshed!

Last but not least, a special thanks to Mr David R Mugwira (Stoke-on-Trent Chairperson) for being with us and Ms Mary Munyanyi (Wolverhampton branch member) who donated £50 towards HIV medication for the Zimbabwean children. Also a massive thank you to those that worked tirelessly helping found Wolverhampton Branch and their donations for the day's success namely Mrs Tsvakai Marambi, Mr Odious Sahondo, Ms Flora Nyahuma and Ms Florence Munemo. A big pat on your backs, well done and keep it up!

Zimbabwe is in our hands ladies and gentlemen, let us work together in unity campaigning for Peace, Freedom and Justice.

A special thank you to those in attendance. For the record 31 people attended.

A closing prayer from Mrs Grace Kachingwe (Hallow Branch) marked the end of our day!

Regional Advocacy programme to Mozambique

Wednesday, 17 November 2010 22:44 administrator

Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe is participating in a Regional Advocacy and Exchange program to meet Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and government officials/ministers from different ministries in Mozambique to discuss Zimbabwean issues and how Mozambican people and government can help in our quest for a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe. The meetings are going to be organised by CEMO and JOINT which are CSOs working in Mozambique. Having noted that Mozambique is the current SADC Chair of the Organ on Politics and Defence, and SADC being the guarantor of the GPA in Zimbabwe, players within the Mozambican territory can be of paramount importance and can play a strategic role in as far as addressing the current Zimbabwean crises is concerned.

Proposed Dates: 19 – 23 November 2010
Organising Partners:
1. Centre for Mozambician and International Studies (CEMO) – Constancio Nguja, Executive Director
2. JOINT- Liga de ONGs em Mocambique – Simao Tila, Coordinador Executivo
Meeting city: Maputo
Number of people attending from ROHR: Three
Objectives

Lobby Mozambician CSOs and government to push the principals in the GNU to fully implement the GPA and to respect fundamental human rights,
To persuade Mozambicans to help Zimbabwe on Elections monitoring from an international perspective and if possible peace keepers from the region to be deployed before, during and after elections,
To mobilise support from Mozambican CSOs to publish and expose human rights abuses in Zimbabwe
To partner and share experiences on the Peace building and Transitional Justice processes, and fight for the restoration of Human Rights,
To strengthen regional advocacy and regional partnerships

Conclusion

It is out of these programmes that Zimbabweans can push other nations in the region and beyond to support the democratic cause and struggle in Zimbabwe. This will also strengthen CSOs work in both countries as well as sharpening advocacy skills, tools and instruments. We also seek to internationalise the struggle at the same time creating a platform to expose abuses and drawing the attention of regional and world communities and leaders.

Chief Chaka makes a peace declaration for Chirumhanzu

Tuesday, 16 November 2010 20:02 administrator

‘’I am not aligned to any political party. I want to unite people to live in peace, exchange ideas on what to do to stir development forward. Let’s be in the papers for good reasons not violence.’’ Chief Chaka

More than five hundred villagers among them, chiefs, counsellors, herdsmen, the representative from national youth service, church leaders, artists, women, youths, men, political party representatives and members from the MDC and from ZANU PF gathered on Sunday afternoon 14^th November at Muwani business centre, 5 km from Chaka business centre along the Harare – Masvingo road to commemorate the international day of peace organized by ROHR Zimbabwe.

The commemoration was celebrated in the form of rich probing poetry, incisive drama, soothing music , testimonials and deep speeches interwoven together to popularize the inevitable need for sustainable peace for development, its attainment and the underlying advantages of the absence of violence.

The moment came when his highness, the visionary Chief Chaka delivered the key note address directly to his people and the visiting chief Manhovo from the neighbouring villages. Unlike the other breed of chieftainship that has been mired in the political crisis rather than being part of the solution, chief Chaka made it known openly to the gathering that he was neither MDC nor Zanu Pf in assuming his priorities and duties as the leader. Below is the text of the speech delivered by Chief Chaka to his people.

I want to honour chief Manhovo and all the leadership represented here. I am so happy with the meeting for peace. As chief, I have already begun making efforts on spreading the gospel of peace in my constituency. I have gone around telling herdsmen and their people, that I do not want to hear about a person being beaten because of politics.

People should be free to live in harmony. I have said to people particularly the youths in my area, if I hear that you have burnt a house or that you have beaten other people because of politics then you have to depart from my area.

As leaders of constituencies we urge people to live in peace so that there can be development. Without peace there is no development.

This year I will partner with chief Manhovo to see that people vote in peace next year. We do not want to hear about people murdering each other or hear about demolition of houses .If there are pending disputes they have to be resolved before the elections. If you owe someone something, make efforts to resolve issues now and not wait to settle scores next year.

If I hear of any cases of violence in my area, I will summon the culprit and his or her parents to my court failure to which they will have to find another place to live where violence is tolerated.

I have come today because of the meeting on peace, if it was about politics I could have refused but because I heard it’s about peace – that’s what we want. Therefore can you also pray for the leaders of this country to unite in honesty.

Us as chiefs, we are not aligned to any political party but encourage people to live in peace, therefore I encourage chief Manhovo to tell his people and herdsmen not to threaten and intimidate one another. Chaka and Manhovo we are one people, we cannot have a situation where people from Chaka will go and beat people of Manhovo or vice versa.

As from today we do not tolerate any form of intimidation or any form of violence among the people of Manhovo and Chaka. We are one family therefore we encourage unity and development. I do not want to hear of any shaming incidence in newspapers of violence between Manhovo and Chaka.

You are lucky to have wise leadership that respects truth telling . . . that is why I am here today.

We want peace and unity. I am not aligned to any political party. I want to unite people to live in peace, exchange ideas on what to do to stir development forward. Let’s be in the papers for good reasons not violence.

I want to conclude saying to the youths, do not let people buy you beer or drugs to commit murder. Human blood is sacred.

With these words I want to thank the leadership of ROHR and urge them to continue teaching on peace. I thank you.

Chief Chaka

ROHR Zimbabwe’s vision is to see a peaceful, just and free nation that is conscious of and respects human rights.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

ROHR Zimbabwe's Solidarity statement for ZIYON's ''Know your rights campaign''

Thursday, 11 November 2010 23:40 Ronald Mureverwi

‘’Human rights are not gifts given at the pleasure of governments, nor should governments withhold them or apply them to some people but not to others. Governments must be held accountable for promoting and protecting the human rights of all persons’’

62 years after the universally acceptable definition of human rights standards and norms to govern humanity were adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1948, these rights have remained either contested or elusive in Zimbabwe and the African continent as a whole. The UDHR is a non negotiable obligation for all the UN member states to safeguard the essence of the human rights principle that ‘’every individual regardless of age, birth, color, creed, disability, ethnic origin, familial status, gender, language, mental status, political or other opinion, public assistance, race religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, deserves to be honored, esteemed and respected”.

The hallmark principle of human rights is that they are inalienable, indivisible and interdependent; no right is of greater significance than the other as some have argued that land is the most basic and important right in our context.

As succinctly put by the former President of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor, Africa needs a new breed of leaders who will defy the precedence of being remembered by history for their notoriety, disregard for human rights and good governance but rather want to be part of the forward match towards the establishment of a better life for their people by using the expertise gained over the years for the good of their people.

Ladies and gentlemen, today we are at a historical dawn of a coalition government brought about by the need to transform from a dark past legacy of violence – sponsored and organized, rampant abuse of rights of innocent men, women and children into a society that upholds the rule of law, equality of all, observance of human rights and broadly the existence of sustainable peace. Cognizant of the fact that there has been relative progress towards efforts to maintain peace, it is still regrettable that the coalition government has de-prioritized critical issues of justice, reforming of the state arms and government systems, structures to ensure the observance of human rights and existence of sustainable peace.

There is still a long way to go in addressing the loopholes at government level on policy and implementation, to assume a cross cutting standard of respecting, building a culture and management style that upholds human rights and human dignity. To mention but a few, ladies and gentlemen, the right to vote freely, elect leaders of choice and participate in political processes remains a pipeline dream, oppression remains a systematic weapon by certain political parties to deny social and economic liberties, freedom of expressions and association is yet to be achieved, media waves remain closed, heavily politicized to maintain a stranglehold on power against the people’s wishes, there is no equitable distribution of state resources, brutality by security forces continues unabated, selective application of the law is still rampant, culture of impunity surges on, while undermining of the rule of law has been institutionalized.

Noting the inadequacy of our current situation in achieving the desired standards and norms of an ideal society, ROHR Zimbabwe pledges its support to seeing a peaceful, just and free nation that is conscious of and respects human rights. We are honored to be part of significant priorities for the betterment of humanity such as the one which has gathered us today through the noble efforts and visionary leadership by one of the leading youth coalition organizations in Zimbabwe ZIYON.

We support their timely effort during this critical defining moment of transformation to ignite a revolution to raise awareness, conscientise and educate the youths about human rights and to popularize the need for a human rights culture at all times starting with this generation and the ones to come. We applaud the maiden resolve in our history by ZIYON to set aside 30 days of countdown to popularize each of the 30 basic human rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) starting with today until 10 December when the entire world comes together to celebrate the International human rights day.

We would like to partner with the youths in securing the future and laying the right seeds by taking charge of it today.

I thank you!
Ronald Mureverwi

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

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