Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

December 10 every year has been set aside by the United Nations for the member states to commemorate the rights of all humans in the land. It is the responsibility of every citizen, institution, department, organisation, and/or government to organise and mobilise for the respect of this day. In Zimbabwe civil society organisations including Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Zimbabwe Human Rights Association and Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe were at the fore front in mobilising people to commemorate this day. After successfully holding a public meeting in Mashonaland Central, Bindura which was done on the 11th, Rohr Zimbabwe organised a march in Gweru on the 12^th of December 2009 together with Zimrights to commemorate this day.

Aims and Objectives of the Programme

• To join the whole world in respecting and commemorating human rights day.
• To mobilise people to be proactive in human rights challenges.
• To make a statement to the Inclusive Government Leaders and the international community that people are not comfortable with the pace with which human rights reforms are being instituted.
• To reflect on the historical facts surrounding the issue of human rights. 

Achievements

• The whole program went according to plan i.e. time management, venue, and the targeted number of participants were reached 300 people.
• Various local and National civic organisations were represented and gave solidarity speeches; these include Gweru residents association, Gweru Agenda, Grip, Women Coalition, Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe, Platform for Youth Development, ZINASU, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, YIDEZ, NANGO, ZCTU, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe among others.
• Just like the Bindura program, the occasion was graced by the Gweru Mayor.

Challenges

• Limited resources that led to coordination and mobilisation challenges.
• Rains

Recommendations

• That Programmes in collaboration with other progressive movements be increased.
• That resources be readily available for such programmes in advance as they go a long way sensitising people on the importance of having their rights being respected.

Conclusion

Rohr Zimbabwe wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to the United Kingdom Rohr Zimbabwe family for continued support since its inception in 2007. This event could not have been successful without their support. Particular reference goes to the Vigil Zimbabwe for the support they have been extending to us as they have gone far in improving the lives of many people in Zimbabwe.

For Rohr Zimbabwe

Innocent Madhuku

(Programmes and Advocacy Officer)

ROHR Zimbabwe donates to Victims in Mashonaland Central

The Trojan Nickel Mine Community distribution exercise comes hot on the heels of the Bikita clothes distributions under the Heal the wounds project. The clothing items were donated by Charity Nyamuzuwe of ROHR Zimbabwe Hayes Branch, UK. ROHR Zimbabwe is driving towards setting an example of what constitutes a desirable national healing programme wanted by the people of Zimbabwe. ROHR Zimbabwe believes in a process which begins with truth, justice, and compensation. As ROHR Zimbabwe, we believe that the political victims should be compensated without fail, and the perpetrators be brought to book. We do not and will never accept the proposed government process (forgive and forget) which rewards perpetrators at the expense of the victims.
The beneficiaries were drawn from around the Mashonaland Central Province and the event was done at Trojan nickel mine community hall .The respective Councillors graced the occasion together with the local Village Head, Mr Samuel Musokwa and the local church Pastor. The ROHR Zimbabwe Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairperson Gilson Chitakunye, and ROHR Zimbabwe Programmes and Advocacy Officer Innocent Madhuku represented ROHR Zimbabwe at the handover ceremony. The Trojan mine primary school SDC Chairman Mr. Domingo and Trojan Clinic Sister attended to collect the educational stationery and medical items respectively.

The donations were done at the Trojan nickel mine community hall

Members of various organizations including NANGO, ZCTU, ZIMCET, Legal Resources Foundation, YIDEZ, Gweru United Residents Association, Student Christian Movement, PTUZ and ZINASU, ROHR Zimbabwe, ZimRights stormed the city of Gweru on Saturday 12th December to protest against the human rights situation in the country to mark the 61st commemoration of the World human rights day. Also in attendance was the deputy mayor of Gweru. 

Singing protesters marched from 2nd street clinic into Robert Mugabe way to the Town House where keynote presentations were made by ROHR Zimbabwe secretary general Mr.Gandanga and ZimRights Midlands chairman Mr. Bongozozo. The event was organized by ROHR Zimbabwe and Zimrights in efforts to advocate for a free discrimination society that embraces diversity in line with this year’s theme.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/sets/72157622890968047/ for pictures 

A crowd of approximately 1000 residents from the violent Mashonaland central province in Bindura gathered at Trojan mine hall  on Friday to join the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s international human rights day. Amongst the attendants  were the mayor of Bindura his Worship Daniso Wakatama, several councillors from Bindura, church leaders, Mr. Mashayamombe from Bonyongwe and Partners Legal firm – a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, MDC youth secretary general Solomon Madzore, liberation war veterans, victims of political violence, women and children. 

Thursday 10^th December marked the 61^st anniversary of the United Nations commemoration of the universality and inalienable God given rights of the human family since its declaration by the United General council in 1948. Addressing the gathering the mayor of Bindura, His worship Daniso Moyo bemoaned the lack of impartiality by law enforcement agents in the execution of their duties in Bindura. He encouraged the Bindura residents to make sure that the right to decent shelter is guaranteed in the envisaged constitution.

MDC youth Secretary General, Solomon Madzore castigated the precedence of politically motivated violence in Mashonaland Central.  

In his keynote address the Secretary General of ROHR Zimbabwe Tichanzii Gandanga said,” human rights are not gifts bestowed at the pleasure of governments. The coalition government has a long way to go to achieve a genuine free discrimination society which embraces a genuine spirit of inclusivity against a background of a painful legacy of a one party state dominance enjoyed by the ZANU PF party in the previous years”