After spending a month incarcerated at Masvingo remand prison on alleged charges of immigration transgression, Gahaodus will finally get a feel of freedom after a rescue intervention by the South African Embassy in Harare.

ROHR Zimbabwe can reliably confirm that the South African High Commissioner in Zimbabwe has today confirmed that one of the two detainees held at Masvingo remand prison is indeed a South African citizen and the embassy will soon facilitate his eventual release to South Africa after the finalization of handover papers. The plight of the two detainees was unearthed by ROHR Zimbabwe following a tip off which led to agitating efforts for their release.

Despite the fact that the Zimbabwean constitution states that a person is supposed to be presented before a judge within reasonable time of not more than 48 hours after arrest, the future remains gloomy for Marco Paulo Santos Oliveira (18) who was arrested together with Gahaodus. His hopes of ending the horrific incarceration have hit a stumbling block as South African officials could not identify him as a citizen of South Africa in order for him to qualify for assistance from the Embassy. He is now confronted by a solitary stay in a foreign prison without the slightest hope of when the light of freedom will shine upon him.

Marcos only available option is to pay US $1000 to the Zimbabwe immigration office or risk staying in prison at the mercy of the Zimbabwean government. Marco and Gahaodus were arrested on the 2^nd of February this year by Zimbabwean law enforcement officials for crossing over to Zimbabwe without legal travelling documents but the two deny any involvement in illegal activities.

ROHR Zimbabwe is appealing to the rest of the world for anyone on information which can be useful to identify Marco Paulo Santos's country of origin to contact ROHR Zimbabwe through email at rohrzimbabwe@gmail.com

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

The Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration in conjunction with NANGO yesterday convened a consultative meeting at the Harare International Conference Centre in a bid to capture the suggestions and inputs from the Harare metropolitan province towards the setting up of a mechanism to achieve National Healing, Cohesion and Unity. The meeting is the last of the rounds of provincial consultative meetings carried out by the organ.

Representing the organ was their chairman, Vice President J.L. Nkomo, Minister Sekai Holland and core Minister Gibson Sibanda. Submissions were heard from various thematic sectors which include the disabled, environmental, youths, women, children, humanitarian and churches.

Growing consensus emerged to the fact that the various sectors had reservations in a National Healing process led by politicians. Understanding the undeniable contribution that was made by politicians in promoting conflict and violence in the worst violence in the history of Zimbabwe, it was submitted that the National Healing process should be led by independent bodies not directly linked to the existing political parties.

The church and civil society articulated pre-requisite fundamental minimum guidelines to be followed for the National Healing process to be credible and authentic. Firstly they submitted that the process is not a standalone event, it needs to be complimented by media reforms, re-institutionalization of key state arms like the security forces and upholding of the rule of law; secondly it should be all inclusive, assume a bottom up approach, should be community based, decentralized and victim centered.

Thirdly, other basic standards include national truth telling programs by victims and perpetrators of political violence, prosecution of perpetrators of human rights crimes, no blanket amnesty for crimes against humanity, reform of educational curriculum to embrace peace building, and gender equity.

To make effective reddress of the plight of victims of political violence, it was submitted that there should be both restorative and retributive justice, national rehabilitation centers should be set up for psycho-social support and security of victims should be guaranteed in truth telling.

Concerns were raised over the fresh outbreaks of violence in Epworth and Buhera, the controversy surrounding the mining of diamonds in Chiadzwa, the continued fanning of hate speech by the national media particularly the Herald newspaper and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings.

In his key note, the Vice President dwelt much on the pre -independence conflicts which led to the liberation struggle and took a swipe at the post independence conflicts which brought about the coalition government and the prolonged negotiations between the three conflicting political parties. “During that time, there were a lot of questions without answers and people had to resort to violence to get their freedom. The system was very easy to lock people up to silence them “said Nkomo.

Minister Holland commended the civil society for the relentless work done in the past decades in agitating for democratization. She encouraged the civil society to remain focused during this time of transition until we get to the post conflict Zimbabwe.

ROHR Zimbabwe challenges the three principals to the GPA to walk the talk, publicly denounce violence, acknowledge past wrongs, and accept responsibility for their contribution to violence and crimes against humanity as a gesture of their serious commitment towards National Healing to guarantee public confidence that violence will never be an option to solving conflict.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

FUND RAISING PARTY IN SUPPORT OF THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ZIMBABWE.

DATE: 27^th February 2010 – DON’T MISS THIS GOOD CAUSE EVENT!!

GUEST OF HONOUR: HON DR PHYLLIS STARKEY MP

VENUE:     CORONATION HALL, STOKE ROAD, WATER EATON BLETCHLEY, MILTON KEYNES, MK2 3AB

CONTRIBUTION: £7.50 PER PERSON, THIS ENTITLES YOU TO ENTRY, A MEAL AND A SOFT DRINK

MAIN EVENT: DISCO WITH THE LATEST ZIMBABWE TUNES, RUMBA, DANCE HALL ETC.

ZIMBABWE CUISINE: NYAMA NE SADZA, GOCHI GOCHI, MAZONDO, MURIWO, FISH, SANDWICHES, FISH, ETC

BEER, WINES, SPIRITS, MINERALS, JUICES

PRIZES GALORE -   RAFFLE:  COMPUTER, PRINTER, DVD AND MOBILE PHONE

                                                                BEST FEMALE DANCER

                                                                BEST MALE DANCER

                                                                BEST OVERALL DANCER

                                                                BEST DRESSED FEMALE

                                                                BEST DRESSED MALE

                                                                BEST DRESSED OVERALL

Full programme available from branch contacts: Rhoda 075889516123   Martha 07727016098, Snodia 07852921523, PMapfumo 07932216070, Charity 07898765091 or E-mail: matabela2008@yahoo.co.uk, snodia80@hotmail.com

ROHR Zimbabwe is greatly dismayed by the uncomplimentary behavior that is being shown by the state through its law enforcement arm, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in denying the general public the right to assemble and associate freely over the envisaged constitution consultation outreach program. It is highly concerning that more than 70 political and human rights activist from WOZA and the MDC have so far  been arbitrarily arrested over what the police is alleging ‘’unsanctioned  meetings’’.

As a human rights organization, we note with grave concern that the continued existence of prohibitive legislation like POSA and AIPPA is an anathema to the much needed conducive environment in which the citizenry can assembly, associate and expressly freely towards the writing of a constitution that will reflect the aspirations of the people.

The recent arbitrary arrests by the police are not only a clear disregard to the interpretation of the law but tantamount to derailing the constitutional outreach program by sending alarm signals among the citizenry on its role in the process.

We further challenge the ZRP to act professionally in executing its duties in line with the international human rights standards (Universal Declaration of Human Rights UDHR, African Charter on Peoples’ Rights and Freedoms ACPR) in dealing with the citizenry during the duration of the constitutional outreach program.

Cognizant of the fact that the continued existence of draconian laws like POSA and AIPPA will only yield a flawed constitutional outreach program, it is pertinent that the coalition government considers legal reforms that will promote a more enabling environment to encourage the free participation and security of participants without fear of intimidation, persecution or victimization ahead of the constitutional outreach program set to begin soon.

Given the long documented legacy of the abuse of state machinery by the ZANU Pf party in relentless efforts to harass political and human rights activist, we strongly urge the other partners to the coalition government to take a principled position to ensure that the ZRP will not be complicity in ZANU Pf’s agenda to coerce the citizenry to adopt the undemocratic Kariba Draft constitution which gives too much executive powers to a president with unlimited term of office among other short serious comings.

 Understanding that the constitution making process is an opportune moment for Zimbabweans to define their God given, social, economic, civil and political rights into a supreme law that will guide elected leaders with the responsibility to rule and govern the country, it is critical to ensure that the voice of the people is not lost or swayed to suit narrow egocentric partisan agendas.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

ROHR Stevenage & Hatfield (Hertfordshire) general meeting. Saturday 6th March from 1.30 – 6 pm. Venue: Poplars Bandley Hill Community Centre, Magpie Crescent, Stevanage SG2 9RZ. ROHR executive present and respected guests. Contact: Kennedy Mashonganyika 079623838720, Jemtiasi Mare 07909338769. Bertha Mwatse 07404112684, Clarkson Shumbanhete 07958550506 or P Mapfumo 07915926323 / 07932216070.

ROHR Brighton general meeting.  Saturday 6^th March from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN13XG.  Contact: Sinikiwe Dube 07824668763, Wellington Mamvura 07949595506 or P Mapfumo 07915926323 / 07932216070.

ROHR Chelmsford general meeting. Saturday 6^th March 2010 from 1.30 – 5 pm. Venue: Springfield Parish Centre, St Augustines Way, Chelmsford CM1 6GX. Contact: B Machekano 07765459538, Martha A Magwaza 07748644911 or R Mafigo 07944815190.

ROHR Liverpool Demonstration. Saturday 6th March from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Church Street (Outside Primark) Liverpool City Centre. For details please contact: Desire Chimuka 07917733711, Anywhere Mungoyo 07939913688, Trywell Migeri 07956083758. Future demonstrations all on Saturdays: 6^th and 20^th March, 3^rd and 17^th April, 8^th and 22^nd May. Same venue and time. 

ROHR Woking general meeting. Saturday 6th March from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: 1 Ravenswood Court, Hillview Road, Woking GU22 7NR. Contact: Isaac Mudzamiri 07774044873, Sithokozile Hlokana 07886203113, Thandiwe Mabodoko 07552402416 or P Mapfumo 07932216070 / 07915926323

ROHR Sheffield launch meeting. Saturday 13th March. Venue: Ruby Lounge, 35 Carver Street, Sheffield S1 4FS. Come and share ideas on how we can tackle the human rights abuses of our fellow countrymen. ROHR President & Executive present together with some VIPs. Bring your questions, suggestions and contributions. Contact: Prosper Mudamvanji 07846621050, Raymond B Jonga 07729472879 or P Mapfumo 7915926323/07932216070.

ROHR Oxford Launch meeting. Saturday 20^th March from 2 to 6 pm. Venue: Newroad Baptist Church, Bonn Square,OX1 1LQ,Oxford. ROHR Founder members and Rohr UK Executive present so people come along and let's share the ideas on our human rights issues about us as a people. There is no parking at the church. People can use the Westgate Parkade which is opposite the church but at bit expensive on a Sat for 3 - 5 hrs about £5 - £7. Contact: Wisher Mandava 07552813803, Lucia Takawira 07760315739, Lindiwe Maposa 07837788807, C Gomani 07960103752 or P Mapfumo 07915926323 / 07932216070.