ROHR Zimbabwe South London Branch General Meeting Saturday 3rd October, 2015 Report
4th October, 2015
On Saturday 3rd October, 2015 Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe human rights activists from London, Kent, Nottingham, Bournemouth and Manchester in the UK converged at No. 16 Sydenham Road, London SE26 5QW for a general meeting of the South London Branch which started at 1:30 pm and ended at 5.30 pm.
Attendees included Priscilla Chitsinde (National Organizing Secretary – UK Chapter and Chairperson – South London Branch and from London), Paradzai Mapfumo (Board member and National Coordinator – UK Chapter and from Gravesend, Kent), Panyika Karimanzira (Board member and Information & Publicity Secretary – UK Chapter and from Manchester), Sukoluhle Sibanda (Activist and from Birmingham) Eva Sanyahokwe (Activist and from Nottingham), Morella Gertrude Nhau (Activist and from Bournemouth). Also from London were Mary Muteyerwa (Activist), Bridget Mupotsa (Activist) and well known fiery activist Peter Sidindi.
Apologies were received from David Kadzutu, Mary Chabvamuperu, Delina Mutyambizi (Treasurer in the National Executive Committee), Lorraine Mudjgiwa (Coordinator – North in National Executive Committee), David Ngwenya, Pythias Makonese, Lean Jane Mushuku and Artwell Pfende.
The meeting discussed, among other things, the worsening human rights situation in Zimbabwe whose recent highlights were the disappearance of political and human rights activist, Itai Dzamara on 9th March, 2015 at the hands of suspected state agents and the persecution and dispersal of vendors from cities and towns which started in June 2015, accompanied by Police brutality and is ongoing.
Other issues discussed included possible ways of sustaining the fight for the restoration of human rights in Zimbabwe. This included the rolling out of a programme for a fresh wave of campaigns and petitions in various cities in the UK to put the spotlight on the situation in Zimbabwe and gain international support.
The meeting noted, with grave concern, the general tendency by the ruling elite in Zimbabwe to put political expedience ahead of the need to respect the rights of the citizens, thereby further worsening an already dire human right, political and economic situation which in turn is bringing more suffering to the average person in Zimbabwe.
The meeting also discussed The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in considerable detail as well as the Aims & Objectives of ROHR Zimbabwe. This was in line with the ongoing theme “Who is a human rights activist” and especially for the benefit of new members.
The meeting was interactive with everyone participating in the proceedings. At its conclusion, the meeting resolved, among other things, to work with like-minded organizations to mobilize for the programme for a fresh wave of campaigns and petitions as well as to hold further meetings with a view to coming up with appropriate committees for this purpose.
The meeting ended at a around 5:30 pm.
To view pictures taken at the event, click here or follow link below.
By: Information & Publicity Department
