Olivia Chamboko - Why I became a Human Rights Activist

 03 April 2021

I became a human rights activist because I am moved by the idea that I can help people by providing a voice to those who don’t have one. With so much violation of Zimbabwean human rights and social injustice, ROHR provided a platform for me to act in defence of peoples’ freedoms and civil liberties.

For this reason, I have spent the last 10 years defending the rights of Zimbabweans starting from demanding my own rights to choose a life free from violence, police/army brutality and intimidation and to inspire others in my society to break their silence and speak out. I want the people all over the world to know about the everyday brutalities of the Zanu-Pf party. I want them to realize what it means to live in Zimbabwe where you can live in your own land but with no control over any resource and no enjoyment of your basic human rights, including rights to life and to freedom of expression. 

Joining forces with other human rights defenders from other organisations all over the world to stand with Zimbabweans and show their solidarity will definitely change our current situation in Zimbabwe.

Author: Olivia Chamboko is a human rights activist and 
Vice Chairperson of the Scotland branch of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter. She is based in the United Kingdom