Joint Press Release – meeting with FCDO – London 20.03.2025

Written by: Diaspora Collaborative Statement by ROHR Zimbabwe, ZHRO, MyRight2Vote, ZAPU & CCC

####-- Collaborative Press Release 

20^th March 2025 3:30pm

Thursday, 20th March 2025, our ‘diaspora collaborative group’ held a face-to-face meeting with three important members of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, (FCDO) at their offices in King Charles Street, London: SW1A 2AH. We were also unexpectedly joined by British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Peter Vowles, who devoted 15 minutes from his busy schedule to be with us in the meeting.

There will be further joint statements about this welcome development very shortly.

Initiated by the FCDO, in requesting such an event, their initiative was as a result of a subtle change in focus by FCDO plus the 12 joint petitions delivered to the PM and the FCDO by our ‘diaspora collective group’ over the last 30 months. Summarised at the web link below;

Web Link to Petition Summary: 30-months-of-petitions

MyR2Vote/Z-DC.com {Zimbabwe Diaspora Coalition} was represented by Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni; ROHR Zimbabwe were represented by Panyika Karimanzira (ROHR Zimbabwe Spokesperson) and Renee Brenda Langa (UK Chapter Deputy Information & Publicity Secretary), ZHRO was represented by John Burke (Founder) and Rashiwe Bayisayi, ZAPU was represented by Christopher Maphosa (PEC Europe Province Chairperson), Cannicious Nkala (Admin Sec. Europe) and Mlindelwa Vundhla (NPC Europe Chair) and with CCC Southend-on -Sea represented by Tatenda Changambika (standing in for Stanford Biti).

Ends --###

RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE STATEMENT ON THE ABDUCTION AND MURDER OF PASTOR TAPFUMANEI MASAYA

Monday 13^th November 2023

ROHR Zimbabwe condemns with utmost disdain the State Sponsored abduction and murder of yet another activist in Zimbabwe, Pastor Tapfumanei Masaya, who was abducted whilst campaigning for a CCC candidate in Mabvuku, Harare, by armed ZANU-PF and Zimbabwean State functionaries on Saturday, 11^th November 2023.

What we now know to be his body was found at the intersection of Arcturus Road and Lobo Road in the Cleveland area of Harare on Sunday, 12^th November 2023, a day after his abduction.

We call upon ZANU-PF and the government of Zimbabwe to stop sponsoring abductions, enforced disappearances, murder, and persecution of citizens who hold alternative views to those of ZANU-PF.

Zimbabwe's constitution guarantees its citizens' and residents' rights and freedoms. These include rights to freedom of speech, demonstrations, association, etc. The State should uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens.

The African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights also guarantee such rights and freedoms.

We call upon the President of ZANU-PF and Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to change his murderous ways and to lead his Government to start to respect the rights of the citizens of Zimbabwe, uphold the rule of law and restore human rights in Zimbabwe.

We also call upon the SADC and AU to condemn ZANU-PF’s blatant waywardness and call the Zimbabwean government to order regarding its apparent condoning of the abductions and enforced disappearances by not bringing to book any of the culprits of these heinous crimes over the years despite them being known. 

We also call upon the UN, EU, US, UK and the international community at large to add their voices in the condemnation of ZANU-PF and the Government of Zimbabwe for being the architects of abductions, enforced disappearances, murders and general persecution of citizens who hold opposing views to those of the ruling party in Zimbabwe.

End

By Information & Publicity Department

 

 

RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF MOREBLESSING ALI

Sunday 12^th June 2022

ROHR Zimbabwe condemns with utmost disdain the murder of yet another activist in Zimbabwe, Moreblessing Ali, whose mutilated body was found in a well in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza on Saturday 11^th June 2022 following her enforced disappearance at the hands of well-known members of ZANU-PF, Pius Jamba and Simba Chisango on Tuesday 24^th May 2022.

We call upon ZANU-PF and the government of Zimbabwe to stop sponsoring enforced disappearances, abductions, murder, and persecution of citizens who hold alternative views to those of ZANU-PF.

The constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees rights and freedoms of its citizens and residents. These include freedom of speech, demonstrations, association etc.. The State should uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens.

The African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights also guarantee such rights and freedoms.

We call upon the President of ZANU-PF and Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to change his murderous ways and to lead his Government to start to respect the rights of the citizens of Zimbabwe, uphold the rule of law and restore human rights in Zimbabwe.

We also call upon the SADC and AU to condemn ZANU-PF, the ruling party of Zimbabwe’s brazen waywardness and call the Zimbabwean government to order with regards to its apparent condoning of the abductions and enforced disappearances by not bringing to book any of the culprits of these heinous crimes over the years despite them being known.

We also call upon the UN, EU, US, UK and the international community at large to add their voices in the condemnation of ZANU-PF and Government of Zimbabwe for being the architects of enforced disappearances, abductions, murders and general persecution of citizens who hold opposing views to those of the ruling party in Zimbabwe.

End
By Information & Publicity Department

 

STATEMENT BY RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE ON THE PLANNED DEPORTATION / REMOVAL OF SOME ZIMBABWEANS TO ZIMBABWE BY THE HOME OFFICE, UK GOVERNMENT - 14th July 2021

 14th July 2021

ROHR Zimbabwe is gravely concerned about the impending deportation / removal of some Zimbabweans to Zimbabwe by the Home Office of the government of the United Kingdom.

It has come to our attention that since the week commencing 5^th July 2021, the Home Office enforcement unit has been detaining large numbers of Zimbabweans for the purpose of deporting / removing them on chartered flights the first of which is scheduled to depart on Wednesday 21^st July 2021. Those being targeted are mainly those without leave to remain and / or have no live leave to remain applications filed with the Home Office. Top of the list are those with a criminal record in the United Kingdom.

What is disturbing about this move by the Home Office is not only that it gives no regard to the fact that the deportees’ lives are in danger when they get to Zimbabwe but also that this development is pursuant to a bilateral arrangement between the notorious government of Zimbabwe and the government of the United Kingdom. The clandestine nature of the operation and the speed at which it is being executed appears to be designed to give the victims little to no chance of access to legal representation.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the Government of Zimbabwe has an atrocious human rights record with so many recorded cases of state sponsored murder, abductions, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, excessive pre-trial incarceration and general persecution of those perceived to be enemies of the state. In this category fall members of opposition political parties, human rights activists, journalists and the diaspora community. The diaspora community in particular is accused of being sell outs mainly because they publicly speak out against the human rights violations of the repressive Zimbabwean government state agencies and the ruling party, ZANU-PF thereby exposing the Zimbabwean government’s ugly human rights record to the international community.

For the avoidance of doubt we wish to draw attention to the dossier of some of the human rights violations by the Mnangangwa regime since he ascended to power on the back of a military coup in November 2017. In a short space of time, Emmerson Mnangagwa has outperformed his notorious predecessor, Robert Mugabe in persecuting perceived enemies of the state who happen to be innocent and unarmed civilians of all walks of life. The dossier can be accessed via the following hyperlink;- https://rohr-zimbabwe.org/index.php/2020/07/19/rohr-zimbabwe-dossier-on-human-rights-violations-in-zimbabwe-from-nov-2017-july-2020-pdf-version/ .

More recent record of human rights violations by the government of Zimbabwe can be accessed via the monthly reports by ZimRights here or on the 2021 ZimRights monthly reports for June, April, March, February and January.

We urge the Home Office to immediately stop deportations / removals to Zimbabwe until such a time there has been a change in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

We also ask all residents of the United Kingdom to support all the initiatives that the Zimbabwean community in the United Kingdom will come up with to fight against these deportations / removals

It is our considered view that the deportees face imminent danger if they return to Zimbabwe.

####

 

By Information & Publicity Department
Contact: - Panyika Anselm Karimanzira
Spokesperson
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe
Mobile: - +447538534375
Email: - rohrzimbabwe@yahoo.com
Email: - anselm.karimanzira@yahoo.ie

 

Celebrating Tsitsi Dangarembga - by Harriet Ndlovu

 

Celebrating Tawanda Muchehiwa - by Nontokozo Malaba Ncube

 

Celebrating Silvanos (Bhanditi) Mudzvova - by Anonymous ROHR Zimbabwe

 

Celebrating Morgan Richard Tsvangirai - by Vengai Mutsawu

 

Celebrating Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri & Netsai Marova - by Karen Nhakaniso

 

Celebrating Hopewell Chin'ono - by Delina Mutyambizi

 

Celebrating Itai Dzamara - by Nicolate Gwati

 

Celebrating Takudzwa Ngadziore - by Olivia Chamboko (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

Celebrating Namatai Kwekweza - by Alvina Chibhamu (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

Celebrating Beatrice Mtetwa - by Vongayi Mufara (#BlackHistoryMonth2020)

 

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY – 12TH AUGUST 2020

12^th August 2020

Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe joins the rest of the progressive world in celebrating International Youth Day today 12th August 2020.

We acknowledge, appreciate and applaud the leadership of the youth in Zimbabwe including the young people who lead feminist movements or organizations. These are some of the most powerful drivers of change and that is one of the reasons why we throw our weight behind them. 

This includes young female leaders like Namatirai Kwekweza, Vongai Zimudzi, Noxolo Maphosa and a lot more others who are braving the wrath and brutality of a rabid regime to fight for the rights and freedoms of the people of Zimbabwe.

We also acknowledge, appreciate and applaud young male leaders like Terence Gata, Yongerson Matete, Tawanda Muchehiwa, Josphat “Mzaca” Ngulube and a whole host of others.

Their efforts will not go unnoticed. The future of Zimbabwe lies in the hands of the youth of Zimbabwe. 

We take this opportunity to urge the government of Zimbabwe to start upholding and respecting all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Human rights are everyone’s rights.

Inserted by: –

Information & Publicity Department
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

26^th June 2020

RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE COMMEMORATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE - 26TH JUNE 2020

Today, 26^th June 2020 marks 33 years since the United Nations Convention Against Torture came into force in 1987 and 23 years since the day was marked for commemoration by the United Nations General Assembly in 1997.

 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating this very important day on the human rights calendar.

Torture is often associated with physical action but it is sometimes psychological.

We note with concern that incidents of state sponsored and state sanctioned abductions and torture are on the rise in Zimbabwe with the latest being only a few days ago and ongoing. This is in flagrant disregard for section 53 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which, absolutely, guarantees freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

We take this opportunity to urge the Head of State in Zimbabwe to stop state sponsored or sanctioned abductions for political expedience and to urge the government of Zimbabwe to investigate all cases of abductions and torture that have occurred since independence and to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their political affiliation.

We also urge the government of Zimbabwe to start upholding and respecting all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

We also urge the government of Zimbabwe to demonstrate the political will to stop abductions and torture by ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

We urge the citizens and residents of Zimbabwe to join us and the Zimbabwe human rights community in our continued fight for human rights in Zimbabwe and to guard their rights jealously in their daily endeavours.

Human rights are everyone’s rights.

Inserted by: –

Information & Publicity Department

Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

STATEMENT BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRPERSON ON THE TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY OF RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE ON 30.08.2019

Today marks the 12th Anniversary of ROHR Zimbabwe, the leading organisation registered in Zimbabwe to champion, defend, promote and bridge Human Rights for all Zimbabweans.

We are proud and honoured to  continue to work side by side with the people of Zimbabwe, both within and outside of our borders, as we remain resolute on issues that remain outstanding from the First Republic of Robert Gabriel Mugabe and now even worse so in the Second Republic of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

We salute today every man and woman, every boy and girl who is focused on upright nation building. Even as daily tasks get harder and at times impossible for so many on home soil and in diaspora.

The cry for sincere advocates and good and honest people in leadership and positions of influence has never been louder. We as an organisation heed that call and we will not stop until Zimbabwe is 'a normal nation.'

We are the chosen generation. We have built alliances and structures as well as a strong social capital base to persevere on with our efforts. We will not allow Zimbabwe to settle for mediocrity. We stand in the gap knowing always that we deserve better.

Let each and every member of ROHR Zimbabwe smile today especially and celebrate this day. Many fell by the wayside over the years but every drop of sweat, blood and tears shed we use to fuel our cause. It is a cause worth fighting for.

To every member, thank you for all your sacrifices and volunteering, above all, the love and concern for one another.

On behalf of all The Board of Trustees members and Executive Teams and Branch  Leaders- makorokoto, amhlophe, congratulations. 

Grace Mupfurutsa

ROHR Zimbabwe

Board of Trustees Chairperson

STATEMENT BY RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE ON ABDUCTIONS, TORTURE AND ARBITRARY DETENTIONS AND ARRESTS OCCURRING IN ZIMBABWE

23 August 2019

As Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe we are greatly concerned by the blatant disregard of the Zimbabwean people’s Constitutional rights by the government. In recent months there has been a systematic targeting of civil society leaders, human rights defenders and some members of the opposition party in direct contravention of the Constitution under Section 53, Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Section 59, Freedom to demonstrate and petition and Section 61, Freedom of expression and freedom of the media. 

We have observed a worrying pattern of established State repression similar to events that occurred on the 1st of August 2018 and January 2019. There has also been an increase in the number of people who have been charged with Subverting Constitutional Government as in the cases of Tatenda Mombeyarara, George Makoni, Frank Mpahlo, Gamuchirai Mukura and Farirai Gumbonzvanda, human rights defenders, who were arrested and charged with Subverting Constitutional Government on the 20th of May 2019. On the 7th of June in response to those charges, Justice Chitapi stated that the State had arrested these individuals to investigate and did not investigate first. The Justice concluded that by these individuals attending the CANVAS workshop in Prague it did not show subversion and as a result they were released.

For some of the people who have been detained and arrested, the government has failed in their duty in according them their rights under Section 50, Rights of the arrested and detained, Section 51, Right to dignity and Section 53, Freedom from torture. When Job Sikhala was arrested on the 10th of July 2019, his lawyers could not locate him at Harare Central Police where he had been detained as he had been surreptitiously moved to Gutu under blindfold without his lawyer’s knowledge.

This year has also seen an increase in abductions and torture as in the cases of Obert Masaraure, ARTUZ President, who received severe beatings, Tatenda Mombeyarara, MDC Youth Leader, who sustained a broken leg, fractured hand, damaged kidneys and chemical burns on his skin, Samantha Kureya, a comedian, who is better known as Gonyeti was abducted and beaten for her satires on the 21st of August 2019 despite the fact that every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to freedom of expression. The government has been very lax in their investigations with regards to these abductions and torture and as a result no one has been brought to account for them.

Demonstrations are a right that is enshrined in the Constitution, but the government have not permitted citizens to exercise this right. The demonstrations that were scheduled for the 16th of August in Harare, 19th of August in Bulawayo, 20th of August in Gweru and the 22nd of August in Masvingo were not permitted to be held. In Harare the police used tear gas, excessive force and brutality to disperse the people who were peacefully gathered as they waited for the permission to proceed and in other cities there was a strong police presence preventing people from assembling together and demonstrating.

It is imperative that the Government observes in full provisions laid out in the 2013 Constitution.

                                                                    END