Amnesty International Zimbabwe hosted an induction workshop for its members based at Harare.
The workshop is the first in line of several more that have been lined up across Zimbabwe.
The special workshop was a culmination of a long process of the re-establishment of the local section of the global movement.
The local chapter was recently recognised with full section status; a development that was met with tears of joy by many human rights activists in the Southern African country.
This new progressive development is a shot in the arm for all Zimbabwean activists since it comes at a time when the human rights situation has dramatically deteriorated in the country.
During the last two years, there has been a dramatic shift in the way which the military backed regime has been responding to any voices of dissent.
Indeed, there has been a sharp rise in the number of arbitrary arrests and unjust prolonged detentions of activists.
In particular, the right to bail, which is fully provided for under the nation’s 2013 Constitution; has increasingly become a legal mirage for most activists once arbitrarily arrested by the regime’s blatantly biased law enforcement agencies.
This situation has been worsened by the evident capitulation and capture of the other two arms of the state; the legislature and judiciary.
As the country starts to shift its focus towsrds the 2023 harmonised elections, there are justified fears that this dire situation will continue to deteriorate from bad to worse.
It is in such times as this that the crucial aspect of SOLIDARITY becomes even more vital for most activists who are facing the consequences of an increasingly harsh and intolerant regime.
It is in such a dire context that the rise of the Amnesty International section in Zimbabwe should be viewed as a shot in the arm for all the local activists who are clearly under siege.
It is now hoped that Amnesty International will play its traditional role of providing dependable solidarity to all the persecuted activists in the country.
The global movement is by far the most reliable and trusted champion for human rights in the world.
This year it is actually celebrating its 50th anniversary since it was founded on 28th May 1961 by a concerned British lawyer Peter Benenson (1941-2005)
Today, it is actively present in almost 100 countries and has a recorded membership of at least 10 million people across the world.
You may feel free to join the local section of Amnesty International by using the following contact details:
Telephone – +26342917725
Email – press@amnesty.org
Facebook – AmnestyInternational Zimbabwe
Twitter – amnesty_zim
