ZHRO & MDC in joint protests at the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on 30th of August 2017

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On Wednesday 30th of August 2017 at 12-2pm Zimbabweans gathered in peaceful protest at the Zimbabwe embassy in London to commemorate International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
 
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) U.K. and Ireland Youth Assembly held a joint demonstration under the umbrella of two themes “Victims of Enforced disappearances” initiated by ZHRO’s Mable Kayiya and “NO to Violence” organised by MDC Youth Sharon Moyo – London Organising Secretary.
 
The vent was held in a great atmosphere of unity and purpose.
In spite of the rain, the event was very well attended by many Zimbabweans, who came from across the UK, some as far as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
The event was also to raise awareness of the abductions happening in Zimbabwe.
 
Of great note is the issue of missing activists in Zimbabwe. The protests demanded that the Zimbabwe government, SADC and the international community must do more to tackle the problem.
 
“We all know Violence has been woven through the intricate fabric of Zimbabwe’s political history in various forms which include murder, beatings, rape, death threats, abductions, arrests, harassment, intimidation to mention but a few. Violence has been used as the weapon of choice by the government in power to intimidate people to vote for them” said Sharon Moyo
“We need to show solidarity with comrades on the ground as we prepare for 2018 elections.
 
This is the time to stand up and show Mugabe that we are capable to lead after he heavily criticized opposition parties in Lupane saying “We have nothing to offer and we lack leadership and mobilisation skills” said Sharon Moyo
 
It is the state’s responsibility to prevent enforced disappearances perpetrated by either state or non-state actors. But when the state is responsible for arbitrary arrests, detention and abductions then its main objective is to ensure impunity.
The Government has since refused to acknowledge that Itai Dzamara was abducted yet it happened in broad daylight, which has spread terror within Zimbabwe.
 
The practice of enforced disappearances has become a tool for intimidating the population, and of evading accountability.
Special attention should also be paid to family members of those who disappeared who are torn between hope and despair.
 
“Today I saw the Zimbabwean community come together to commemorate victims of enforced disappearance. To many people enforced disappearance is not a clear concept. Often, persons subjected to enforced disappearance are being mistaken for missing persons for example our fellow activist Itai Dzamara who was abducted on the 9th of March 2015 even though it is very different.
 
Enforced disappaerance is the deprivation of liberty of a victim and is a crime against humanity. The families of the victims are also victims themselves as they go through psychological trauma of not knowing the whereabouts of their loved one and also not being able to grieve. As the Zimbabwean Diaspora community today we would like to remind the world of the importance of using the tools available to fight against enforced disappearance” said Sibongile Kadzima of ZHRO.
 
The government needs to take responsibility for a multitude of the serious human right violations that are happening in Zimbabwe, including the rights to personal liberty, and integrity.
“May I remind you that A Government that systematically practice enforced disappearances does not care what families go through and will do nothing in terms of the legal uncertainty, financial support for the wives and children and not to mention, the emotional suffering of the relatives” said Pythias Makonese
Enforced disappearances should not happen therefore the Zimbabwe government should put stringent measures. By Kingstone Jambawo

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