The Member of the European Parliament for the East of England, Mr Geoffrey Van Orden, has confirmed that he will be attending the Zimbabwe Vigil on its 7th anniversary on Saturday 10th October to accept a petition to the EU demanding punitive action against the Southern African Development Community because of their failure to meet their human rights obligations to Zimbabwe. Mr Van Orden (Pictured) , who has taken a close interest in the Zimbabwean situation, will be at the Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London at 4 pm to accept the following petition:
A Petition to European Union Governments: We record our dismay at the failure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to help the desperate people of Zimbabwe at their time of trial. We urge the UK government and the European Union in general to suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region. We suggest that the money should instead be used to feed the starving in Zimbabwe.
The petition will be handed over by a Vigil member impersonating President Mugabe who will arrive by rickshaw with first lady Grace from a shopping expedition at Harrods to illustrate what would happen if the EU agreed to the SADC demand to end targeted sanctions against the Mugabe regime.
Programme for the Day
2 6 pm Vigil outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR
3 3.15 pm Mugabe (represented by Fungayi Mabhunu wearing a Mugabe mask) accompanied by his wife Grace (played by Gugu Tutani) outside the central Hans Crescent entrance to Harrods. They can be photographed with their shopping.
4 pm Mugabe and Grace arrive at Zimbabwe House by rickshaw with shopping and present petition to Mr Geoffrey Van Orden, Conservative Party MEP for East of England, who will say a few words about Zimbabwe.
Event: Mugabes Shopping Spree on Vigils 7th anniversary
Venue: Outside the Zimbabwe Embassy
Date: Saturday 10th October 2 6 pm
Photo Opportunities: Mugabe and Grace with their shopping. Mugabe presents petition to EU.
Zimbabwean singing, dancing and drumming
Interview Opportunities: Mr Van Orden, political activists, torture and rape survivors
Further information: Rose Benton (07970 996 003), Dumi Tutani (07960 039 775), Ephraim Tapa (07940 793 090), Fungayi Mabhunu (07743 662 046), Dennis Benton (07932 193 467).
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 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