The Africa Director of Human Rights Watch, Georgette Gagnon, said this week: The army and its allies – war-veterans’ and supporters of the ruling party ZANU-PF – are intensifying their brutal grip on wide swathes of rural Zimbabwe to ensure that a possible second round of presidential elections goes their way.’
The demonstration has been called by Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHRZim) in co-operation with its partner the Zimbabwe Vigil. The leader of ROHR, Stendrick Zvorwadza, who is visiting London, will speak about the situation. His deputy in Zimbabwe, Tichanzii Gandanga, was abducted on 22nd April and found in the bush 80 miles east of Harare two days later very badly injured. Apparently he was forced to lie down on the road and then his abductors drove over his legs four times. He is now receiving medical attention in secret in Harare, where the authorities are trying to track him down.
During the demonstration the following petition will be available for signature:
Petition to President Mbeki of South Africa
Exiled Zimbabweans and supporters urge you to stop supporting Mugabe and allow a peaceful transfer of power from the military regime to the Zimbabwean people. Our blood is on your door.
ROHR is an on-the-ground protest movement in Zimbabwe which was set up to give people the courage to stand up to oppression and fight for their human rights.
Event: Â Â Â Â Â Â Protest against Mugabe’s post-election reign of terror
Venue: Â Â Â Â Outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London WC2
Date / time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 pm – 6 pm, Saturday, 3rd May 2008
Photo Opportunities:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Zimbabwean singing, dancing and drumming.
Interview Opportunities:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Political activists, torture and rape victims.
Further information:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Contact Vigil Co-ordinators Rose Benton (07970 996 003, 07932 193 467) and Dumi Tutani (07960 039 775) and for ROHR Stendrick Zvorwadza (07882 460 295, 07960 113 496)
Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights by the current regime in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk
Post published in: News