THE ROLE OF THE DIASPORA IN DEFENDING THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE IN ZIMBABWE X – SPACE 24.01.2024

Wednesday 24^th January 2024

Today, Wednesday, 24th January 2024, Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe participated in a groundbreaking X-Space dealing with the topic “The Role of The Diaspora IN DEFENDING THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE IN ZIMBABWE hosted by Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition.

Among the panellists were Panyika Karimanzira (ROHR Zimbabwe spokesperson), Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni, Tendai Ruben Mbofana and Thomas Mutangiri.

ROHR Zimbabwe members who attended include Vongayi Mufara (ROHR Zimbabwe’s UK Chapter Chairperson), Marian Mangani (ROHR UK Chapter Midlands Branch Fundraier), Basil Kamombe (ROHR UK Chapter Deputy Information & Publicity Secretary), Xoliso Sithole (ROHR UK Chapter North Branch Fundraier), Vengai Mutsawu (ROHR UK Chapter North Branch Chairperson and UK Chapter Fundraier), Nina Mutepfa (ROHR UK Chapter Midlands Branch Secretary), Lilian Nleya (ROHR Advocacy & Mentorship Committee member), Ronald Mutumbi (ROHR UK Chapter North Branch Organising Secretary), Phylis Melody Magejo and Shepherd Mutemaringa.

The meeting recognised the need for the Zimbabwean diaspora to take the leading role in challenging the status quo considering the fact that the hands of the activists on the ground are now tied by the shrinkage of the democratic space through the enactment of such laws as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill (Commonly referred to as “The Patriotic Act) purportedly designed to outlaw what they broadly call “unpatriotic acts”, which essentially include criticising the President or the government of Zimbabwe from abroad, the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (PVO), the Maintenance of Public Order Act (MOPO), which replaced POSA and the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021 all of which collectively aim to shrink the democratic space and control the activities of nongovernmental organisations and individuals.

The following possible action points were put on the table for possible consideration;-

·         The diaspora to get more organised and come up with workable collaborative structures.

·         The diaspora to mobilise resources to support the activities on the ground, including community education on human rights, democracy, voting etc..

·         The diaspora to take a more prominent role in coordinating the activities on the ground.

·         The diaspora to lobby host governments to take a stand on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

·         The diaspora to lobby regional and international bodies like the SADC, AU, UN, EU, Commonwealth to call the Zimbabwean government to order and to keep the Zimbabwe situation in the limelight.

·         The diaspora to demand the right to vote.

The meeting noted that the diaspora voting population exceeds 6 million which is way above the 4 million or so Zimbabwean based people who registered to vote in the August 2023 harmonised elections.

It also noted that diaspora remittances in 2023 (9.44 billion U.S. dollars as of Oct.31, 2023) were more than Foreign Direct Investment and around 16% of the total foreign currency inflow in.

Work on what was agreed will continue in the background and ROHR Zimbabwe will seek to engage other diaspora based organisations on the way forward.

Further meetings of this nature will be convened by Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition in collaboration with Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, MyRight2Vote, Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) and other diaspora based Zimbabwean organisations.

Screenshots of the X-Space can be viewed here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rohr_zimbabwe__manchester/albums/72177720314288757

 

Report by:
Information & Publicity Department.

Call for immediate release of Job Sikhala

18^th January 2024

By Vengai Mutsawu

I write to express my deep concern and solidarity with Job Sikhala, who has been unjustly incarcerated in prison for over 18 months without trial or any known offence committed. Asking for justice for the murdered Moreblessing Ali is not a crime. Job Sikhala only demanded justice for Moreblessing. This prolonged detention without due process is a violation of fundamental human rights and an affront to the principles of justice that we hold dear.

Job Sikhala’s situation demands urgent attention and action. It is disheartening to witness the prolonged denial of his right to a fair trial and bail, a cornerstone of any just legal system. In a society that values the rule of law, it is imperative that we demand his immediate release and insist on a transparent and expeditious legal process.

It is our collective responsibility to stand against arbitrary detention and the erosion of individual rights. Job Sikhala’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the principles that underpin a just and fair legal system. Let us unite in our call for justice, advocating for the release of Job Sikhala and the restoration of his rights.

I urge authorities to reevaluate this situation, ensure due process, and release Job Sikhala without further delay. Our shared commitment to human rights, justice, and the rule of law compels us to speak out against any infringement upon these principles.

“Justice for Job Sikhala Now!!!!”

#FreeJobSikhalaNow

#JusticeForAll

About the author
Vengai Mutsawu is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is the Chairperson of the North Branch and Fundraiser for the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, a not-for-profit organisation registered in 2007. Among other things, ROHR Zimbabwe aims to promote a culture of human rights through community mobilisation, capacity building, and active responses to human rights violations. It also advocates for peace, justice, freedom, accountability, and democratic reforms in the country. Vengai Mutsawu can be contacted by email at Vengai.mutsawu@rohr-zimbabwe.org or vengaimutsawu1@yahoo.com

Human Rights Abuses in Zimbabwe

17^th January 2024

By Ronald Mutumbi

Human rights abuses in Zimbabwe are a serious and ongoing problem that affects the lives and dignity of millions of people. According to various sources, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, ZimRights and ROHR Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean government has been responsible for numerous violations of civil and political rights.

The State-sponsored human rights violations include murder, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, harassment, persecution and prosecution of opposition politicians, journalists, political and human rights activists, human rights defenders and critics of the ruling party of all kinds.

These are carried out by uniformed forces and unidentified assailants, suspected to be state security agents with impunity.

Peaceful protests are met with excessive, disproportionate, and lethal force, including the use of tear gas, batons, and live ammunition, resulting in injuries and deaths.

Restrictions on various human rights including rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly are imposed through the enactment and selective application of repressive laws, such as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill (Commonly referred to as “The Patriotic Act), the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (PVO), the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021  which collectively aim to shrink the democratic space and control the activities of nongovernmental organisations and individuals.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, also face criminalisation, harassment, and violence because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The recent outbreak of cholera countrywide, just like the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years, has exposed the government’s failure to provide adequate health care, food, water, and sanitation to the population, especially the most vulnerable groups.

The pandemic was used as an excuse to impose lockdown measures that limited the people’s access to information, education, and livelihoods, to crack down on any criticism or protest as well as for corrupt activities by the political elite and their cronies with the “Drax scandal” being a case in point.

The human rights situation in Zimbabwe is alarming and requires urgent attention and action from the international community, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community, as well as from the Zimbabwean authorities themselves. The government should respect and protect the human rights of all its citizens and ensure that those who commit or order human rights violations are held accountable and brought to justice. The government should also engage in dialogue and cooperation with civil society, the opposition, and the media and implement the necessary reforms to restore democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity in the country.

About the author
Ronald Mutumbi is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is the Organising Secretary for the North Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, a not-for-profit organisation registered in 2007. Among other things, ROHR Zimbabwe aims to promote a culture of human rights through community mobilisation, capacity building, and active responses to human rights violations. It also advocates for peace, justice, freedom, accountability, and democratic reforms in the country. Ronald can be contacted by email at ronald.mutumbi@rohr-zimbabwe.org or  ronmutumbi@gmail.com  

NOTICE - UK CHAPTER (All members) Zoom Meeting – Saturday 20th January 2024 at 14:00 hrs.

Event: - UK CHAPTER  (All members) Zoom Meeting
Date: - Saturday 20^th January 2024
Time: - 14:00 hrs  (UK time)

Venue: - Zoom

Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538534375?pwd=RnREUTI0SmN0T3ZwQ1J6UTdRa3JPUT09&omn=89248659130

Meeting ID: 753 853 4375
Passcode: 261316

Agenda: - To follow 

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Vongayi Mufara 07309990505
Nontokozo Malaba Ncube 07538229164
Alvina Chibhamu 07446224052
Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu 07846960955
Basil Kamombe 07565726052
Lilian Nleya 07853155145