ROHR Zimbabwe UK Manchester - Liverpool Branch Relaunch and Feedback Meeting

DATE: SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2017 
TIME: 2:00PM - 6.00PM 
VENUE: WELCOME CENTRE, 18 – 32 BRENFIELD AVENUE, CHEETHAM HILL, MANCHESTER M8 0TW 

EVENT: ROHR ZIMBABWE UK MANCHESTER – LIVERPOOL BRANCH RELAUNCH AND FEEDBACK MEETING 

• Two members of the Board of Trustees and possibly a third one will be present and will address the meeting , give important updates and answer any questions. 
• The executive committee of the recently launched Central London branch will be present to assist. 
• We have invited the leadership and members of 2 other UK based and one global progressive human rights organizations , namely, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (ZHRO) ,MaZimbabweans Yes We Can (MZYWCAN) and Zimbabwe Citizens Initiative. They will all be given time to address the meeting.
•  A new executive branch committee for Manchester – Liverpool Branch will be confirmed on the day. 
• We are also going to invite a prominent activist from Zimbabwe to share with us their experiences and challenges on the ground. This activist has been abducted, tortured and persecuted many times by the Zimbabwean state agents.  
• All members of ROHR Zimbabwe in UK and those wishing to join or simply to witness are most welcome. The meeting will also be attended by members of the steering Committee and Advocacy Committee of the UK Chapter. Come, mingle with other activists,

DIRECTIONS : From Picadilly get bus number 59 going to Rushcroft. This bus will also pass through Victoria train station. The bus goes along Bury New Road then turns right onto Waterloo Road. The bus stop for the Welcome Center is along Waterloo Road before the Post Office, Brentfield Avenue is off  Waterloo Road on the right.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 

DELINA MUTYAMBIZI 07975694812 

KAREN NHAKANISO 07539645534 

P MAPFUMO 07429654465

LORRAINEMUDJGIWA 07481212463 

PANYIKA KARIMANZIRA 07538534375  

ROHR Zimbabwe Central London Branch Launch Meeting Saturday 7th January, 2017 Report

ROHR Zimbabwe Central London Branch Launch Meeting Saturday 7th January, 2017 Report

On Saturday 7th January, 2017 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe human rights activists from various cities and towns in the UK converged at The Royal Festival Hall in central London for a meeting and the official launch of the Central London Branch of the UK Chapter of ROHR Zimbabwe. The meeting was co-chaired by George Shambela (in his capacity as Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the UK Chapter) and Paradzai Mapfumo (one of the three Board members present). It started at noon. ROHR Zimbabwe Central London Branch Launch Meeting Saturday 7th January, 2017 Report

The meeting was a culmination of a process, the brainchild of Mary Nyarai Muteyerwa that started with the coming together of members resident in London and environs to form a branch. After a period of caucusing via a bespoke WhatsApp group they then elected an executive branch committee on 7th December, 2016. This committee then convened this branch launch meeting of 7th January, 2017 which was presided over by three Board members, Stendrick Zvorwadza, Paradzai Mapfumo and Panyika Anselm Karimanzira who officially endorsed and unveiled the new branch committee.

The new Central London Branch committee

Chairperson: Mary Nyarai Muteyerwa

Vice Chairperson: Plaxedes Damiso

Secretary: George Shambela

Vice Secretary: Mevis Mutanga

Organizing Secretary: Margret Tandi

Deputy Organizing Secretary: Patricia Chingozha

Treasurer: Morella Gertrude Nhau

Information & Publicity Secretary: Pythias Makonese

Fundraising Committee Member: Sibongile Bvungidzire

Fundraising Committee Member: Bridget Mupotsa

Committee Member: Salome Nkiwane

Committee Member: Chipo Kamhunga

Committee Member: Kuziwa Mafaro

After the usual civilities and protocols the guest speakers were given the floor followed by a question and answer question per speaker. John Burke spoke about his organization, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (ZHRO) summarised its constitution and outlined its aims and objectives as well as how to join it. He also described the challenges that were currently being faced by Zimbabweans seeking to regularise their stay in the UK and how ZHRO could help.

Peter Sidindi, a veteran activist, spoke of his organization, MaZimbabweans Yes We Can (MZYWCAN). His address was in the same format as John Burkes above. He also went on to give practical recent examples of the work his organization does.

Another veteran activist, Arthur Molife weighed in with a similar address to Peter Sidindi’s, putting emphasis on the need for proper evidence gathering and assembling as well as maintaining integrity right throughout the process.

Speakers from the ROHR Zimbabwe stable were Paradzai Mapfumo, Panyika Karimanzira and Stendrick Zvorwadza.

Paradzai Mapfumo dwelt mainly on the structural aspects of ROHR Zimbabwe. Panyika Karimanzira dwelt on the Information and Publicity aspects, including giving an update regarding the activities of ROHR Zimbabwe in the UK and its relevance to activities on the ground in Zimbabwe. This included how financial contributions by members in the UK went a long way in assisting activists on the ground in Zimbabwe. He also emphasised the fact that ROHR Zimbabwe’s core business was not asylum and that asylum only becomes part of ROHR Zimbabwe’s business by virtue of it being a human right.

The main speaker was Stendrick Zvorwadza, the founder and one of the Board Members of ROHR Zimbabwe and a prominent activist based on the ground in Zimbabwe. He started by thanking members of ROHR Zimbabwe in the UK for assisting with the funding of the operations of activities on the ground in Zimbabwe and for the solidarity with the individual activists. He went on to describe in detail the programmes ROHR Zimbabwe was currently involved in. He also described the synergistic relationship ROHR Zimbabwe has with the National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) and the broader social movement fraternity in Zimbabwe. He also described the various instances of state sponsored persecution of activists (him included) in Zimbabwe and how the situation was increasingly becoming risky for the activists.

A common thread amongst the speakers was a call for unity amongst different Zimbabwean human rights groups in the UK.

There was also a lively question and answer session during which everyone present contributed to the ensuing discourse covering a wide range of topics, including ROHR Zimbabwe’s ongoing involvement with and impact on the activities on the ground in Zimbabwe.

A total of 33 people (including a few guests) attended this meeting. They included Delina Mutyambizi, Valentino Donchichio, Charles Rufayi, Maria Rufayi, Kuziwa Mafaro, Elizabeth Kawonza, John Burke, Peter Sidindi, Arthur Molife, Rumbi Sambana, Gift Moyo, Thobekile Gumbo, Blessing Goronga, Tsungirirai Kahiya, Shamiso Moyo, Chipo Komboni, Lorraine Mudjgiwa, Bridget Mupotsa, Namatirai Angela Sithole, Tawanda Mawushe and Sibongile Bvungidzire.

Apologies were received from Petronella Mahachi, Grace Makoni, Sonboy Ndebele, Magadaline Moyo, Primrose Ngwenya, Mollen Ngwenya, Mildred Mudara, Lynette Chivizhe, Kelly Mutasa, Farai Nhakaniso, Karen Nhakaniso, Jane Nataniel and Kingstone Jambawo.

The meeting ended at 16.10 hrs.

To view pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72157677007683682

By: Information & Publicity Department

Cover Picture:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/32061962482/in/album-72157677007683682/

No freedom after expression in Zimbabwe

No freedom after expression in Zimbabwe

Constitution of Zimbabwe

Article number: 20

(1) Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence.

This right is one of the most precious of all guaranteed freedoms. It serves four broad special purposes. It helps individuals obtain self fulfillment, it assist in the discovery of truth, it strengthens the capacity of an individual to participate in decision making and provides a mechanism by which it would be possible to establish a reasonable balance between stability and social change. Activism is by no means merely a freedom of expression being exercised. Many Zimbabwean activists share a deep desire for change, a purpose greater than oneself.

Broadcasting licenses have been consistently denied to independent and community radio stations but granted to government-affiliated organizations. Moreover, independent outlets that campaign for licenses face harassment and persecution from the authorities. That's why the #ThisFlag campaign exists - to challenge people to speak out about injustice without fear. With a global following its no wonder the Zimbabwean government is so intimidated by the internet. They have resorted to every form of political intimidation to place fear in every Zimbabwean citizen. The disappearance of Itai Dzamara is a prime example of the length the government will go, to detract from the country’s deteriorating socio-economic and political conditions in the country.

As activists we know that social media has by far contributed to the freedom of expression in Zimbabweans. In 2016 Zimbabwe had an internet penetration rate of around 16.4% and yet social movements like #Thisflag #Tajamuka #Thisflower have made an impact.

While it may seem like activists in Zimbabwe have been left to do the dirty work on the ground, whilst activists in the Diaspora are considered less significant because they are able to hold peaceful demonstrations without the fear of the police and national army. - albeit they face numerous risks as returnees to Zimbabwe.

Online discussions by ordinary people brings to the fore liberation and a freedom of expression to the previously unheard voices. The internet and social media has given the ordinary citizen a voice and self expression which has made it possible for debates and tensions to be expressed. This has helped expose critical issues that are at the root of a lot of Zimbabwe’s problems. In my opinion it's more selfish to be aware of the problems happening in our beloved country and turn a blind eye because we are in the Diaspora.

The right to freedom of expression, assembly and association allows for healthy and strong democracy in any country or political system. In order for this right to be protected the Government of Zimbabwe should:

• Uphold its constitutional obligations to respect the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association.
• Amend repressive legislation that is incompatible with international human rights law and standards on freedom of expression, assembly and association such as POSA( Public Order &  Security Act, AIPPA ( Access to Information & Privacy Protection Act) and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
• Repeal the Broadcasting Services Act which also impinges on journalists' rights.
• Ensure that laws and regulations governing the media are in accordance with regional and international human rights law and standards regarding freedom of expression, assembly and association