A GROUP of Zimbabweans in the United States are plotting to protest over lack of electoral reforms and abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe during next month’s United Nations General Assembly.
The protesters want to use the platform to deliver their message at the event that is expected to attract world leaders, politicians, academics and human rights experts from across the globe.
In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe Diaspora Voices secretary Ronnie Muvirimi confirmed the planned protest saying they were currently mobilising other pressure groups in the US to join them.
“I do hereby reach out to you to share an invitation for your organisation to please participate in a peaceful protest against the electoral fraud and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe that will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2022.
“This is a Zimbabwe citizens’ driven event being spearheaded by Zimbabwe Diaspora Voices working in collaboration with various other human rights and democracy organisations. The demonstration is open to all Zimbabwe citizens and also to all those who empathise with the plight of the Zimbabwean people,” the statement read.
Zimbabweans outside the country have been calling for electoral reforms; mainly the introduction of the diaspora vote to enable them to vote in next year’s polls.
“This year, we the Zimbabwe citizens, are demanding electoral reforms in Zimbabwe. In addition, we are also highlighting the massive human rights abuses and the general abject poverty Zimbabwe citizens are exposed to due to the high levels of corruption and general incompetence by the government,” added Muvirimi.
Zimbabwe is currently under the spotlight over gross human rights abuses that range from political persecutions to violence perpetrated by State security agents on opposition party members.
Human rights abuses and democracy issues have resulted in Zimbabwe being placed under targeted sanctions by the US and European Union.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean philanthropist Susan Vivian Mutami who is accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa of s3_xually abusing her while she was a minor has been invited to speak at the UN General Assembly.
“I just wanted to let u know that I’ve been invited to speak at the UN this year in New York, Category Women and Child Abuse and also Chief Svosve pro-democracy workshop, UN protests and to be one of the key note speakers,” Mutami posted on Twitter.
Hie everyone I hope u are all well and #RegisterToVoteZW. I just wanted to let u know that I’ve been invited to speak at the @UN this year in New York,Category Women and Child Abuse and also @Chiefsvosve1 pro democracy workshop, UN protests and to be one of the key note speakers
— Susan Mutami (@mutami_susan) August 21, 2022
Mutami also filed a police report in Queensland, Australia, last month.
Susan Mutami told police Mnangagwa – then a cabinet minister – pursued her after meeting her during an inter-schools competition in 2003. She was in Form 2.
Mnangagwa, 79, eventually took her into his home when her father died in 2005.
She claims the Zanu PF leader, who became president after a military coup in November 2017, rap_ed her several times over many years.
Mutami filed a report at the Mount Ommaney police station, a division of Brisbane police, on Monday morning under case number 4026120.
— NewsDay/My Zimbabwe
