Vhitori says it acknowledges that the human rights issue, a key facet of democracy, “has been a thorny road full of sweat and blood for human rights defenders. Over the years, human rights violations have been committed on the Zimbabwean people by other members of the public, political parties and state authorities either knowingly or unknowingly.
“This denial of people’s rights has subdued the people’s potential resulting in the stifling of creativity and solutions – but some men and women have stood out against the threats and violence in securing the rights of Zimbabweans.”
The festival will host the premiere of Trail of Violence, a play which looks at the abuse and defence of human rights in Zimbabwe told through a lawyer’s eyes. – Itai Dzamara