ROHR plans a peaceful protest tomorrow
February 17th, 2009
Please be advised that Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe will hold a peaceful demonstration in Harare tomorrow (18 February 2009) protesting against the continued detention of prisoners of conscience at Chikurubi Maximum prison and other places of detention.
32 human rights activists and Movement for Democratic Change supporters continue to be incarcerated since 2008 and only 22 of the 32 have been brought before the courts.
The inclusive Government is failing to ensure the release of Jestina Mukoko, Director of Zimbabwe Peace Project, Frank Muchirahondo and Daniel Mlenga both USAID employees and many other prisoners of conscience. This is despite assurances by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai that the political detainees will be released hastily. On the contrary arrests are increasing as six WOZA activists are detained for holding a peaceful demonstration. On Friday 13 February the deputy Minister of Agriculture Roy Bennett was arrested on treason charged which were later dropped and exchanged for attempted insurgency, terrorism and banditry.
As ROHR Zimbabwe we strongly castigate the deliberate attempt to hold human rights and political activists captive for as long as the Government pleases through unnecessary legal technicalities, considering that their abduction was unlawful in the first place. It is an abuse of these citizen’s rights to freedom and a right to a comfortable life.
The demonstration will be done to put pressure on the inclusive government to release the detainees. We believe it is against the spirit of the Global Political Agreement signed in September 2008 that has given birth to a Unity Government.
ROHR Zimbabwe will also join other civic organisations in a combined solidarity action planned for tomorrow at the Rotten Row Courts 9am
Via Press Release
February 17th, 2009 18:01
NOW is the time for ordinary Zimbabweans to take courage, put pressure without fear. Let the pressure be so great that it forces them to abduct even more, until abducting gets them insane.
February 18th, 2009 00:13
We need to back PM Morgan T and not pressure him. If he issued orders to have the political detainees released, would those orders be obeyed? If not, which I am sure is the case, then give the man a break. There needs to be mounting pressure on the ZPF swindicate, and the upcoming demonstration is exactly that. Well done!
February 18th, 2009 20:53
Because Mugabe was never pressured to make good the wild promises he made when first elected to power, Zimbabweans allowed him to grow lax in his duties. Mugabe developed a believe of his absolute power though lack of demonstration of people power.
Tsvangirai needs persistent pressure. It would be disasterous to sit back and wait for some indeterminate period of time to lapse to see if the MDC are capable of delivering.
Tsvangirai is effectively on probation – he needs to work like a dog and proove to his employers (Zimbabweans) he’s fit for the role.
One can’t expect change overnight, it’s true. But MDC have had since elections last year develop a map for change. It is time to see them pushing their boundaries, or if they’re just going to scribble ‘here they be dragons’ and let it pass.