via A still birth – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 24th May 2014 May 26, 2014
The Vigil welcomes the belated court challenge to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the voters’ roll used in the last elections. Ten months on and the roll has still not been made available for scrutiny as required by the constitution. The obduracy of ZEC can only support assertions that the 31st July elections were rigged.
This week marked the anniversary of the signing into law of the new constitution providing for improved civil liberties. What a still birth! Zanu PF has simply refused to change laws which allow it to deny people their – now constitutional – right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Harare this week to demonstrate against the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria. The police did not bother them. Evidently, all they are interested in is shutting down criticism of the Zanu PF mafia. The Vigil supposes it would also be alright to demonstrate against the Syrian civil war or the Thai coup. But anyone who demands their civil rights is likely to be beaten and carted off to prison.
Meanwhile Zanu PF’s latest begging appeal has been curtly rejected by Brazil, whose ambassador in Harare said ‘Zimbabwe is a rich country and does not need donations but investments’. All is not lost however. Zanu PF has told diamond miners to hand over their gems to the central bank so that they can be used as security for a loan. Brilliant idea! Payments for the diamonds ‘will be made soon after . . .’ Haven’t we heard this before?
Other points
- Best wishes from the Vigil to Philip Maponga and Lindiwe Bare on their marriage.
- Thanks to Rosemary Chimuka and Isaac Chatikobo who arrived early to help set up. A special thanks to Isaac who got soaking wet putting up the tarpaulin in the pouring rain. Thanks also to Bridget Zhakata for looking after the front table.
For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.
FOR THE RECORD: 26 signed the register.
EVENTS AND NOTICES:
- Next Swaziland Vigil. Saturday 31st May from 10 am to 1 pm outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB.
- ROHR National Executive meeting. Saturday 7th June from 12 noon. (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE.) Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a sign at street level. It’s between a newsagent and Pizza Express. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.
- Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 7th June from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For direction see entry above.
- Zimbabwe Yes We Can meeting. Saturday 21st June at 12 noon. Venue: The Theodore Bullfrog, 26-30 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HL.
- ROHR Reading Branch general Meeting. Saturday 28th June from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: RISC, 35-39 London St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4PS. For further enquiries contact: Erick Eluwasi, the Information and Publicity Officer On: 07532021348
- Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2013 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/560-vigil-highlights-2013. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2013 Highlights page.
- The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.
- Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds monthly meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
- The Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets twice a month after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy
- Facebook pages:
– Vigil: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts
– ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515
– ROHR: https://www.facebook.co/pages/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights/301811392835
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 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.
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