Summer 2012

Let’s Network!

Hero’s daughter visits Oxford House

Members who have visited the ZA office will Like Zimbabwe know that just along the passage is the Oxford Association on House chapel, a beautiful wood-panelled room Facebook and Join that in past times was regularly used for prayer and worship and today is also used for commu- in our debates nity events and activities.

On the wall of the chapel are several plaques to past wardens of Oxford House, founded in 1884 as a Church of England university settlement. One of these is dedicated to Guy Clutton-Brock and his wife Molly, who took over Oxford House in 1940 and ran it through years of World War II. Their doors were open to all as a refuge from the bombing of London and the stress of the conflict.

Friday 18 May saw the launch of ZA’s new cultural platform Sally Clutton-Brock, now Sally Roschnik, was Zimbabwe Unwound: A project creat ing non partisan and Guy and Molly’s only child, born and brought up empowering platforms for Zimbabwean Refugees and the wider in Oxford House before the family moved to community. Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, and founded the non- Truly fantastic music from Mashasha and Sam, plus some racial co-operative, Cold Comfort Farm. They striking poems from Kennedy Madhorimbo, and Vivian Mara- lived in Zimbabwe until Guy was stripped of his vanyika taking us down memory lane with a DJ set of Zimbab- citizenship and deported by Ian Smith. After his wean Classical music made for a really memorable evening. death in 1995, he was declared a national hero of Great dance moves from unexpected people! Thanks to all who Zimbabwe . came and shared the fun, and thanks to Louisa, Aivet and other volunteers for their help. ( see photos on back page ) On 15 May, the ZA was delighted to welcome Sally Roschnik to Oxford House, and thrilled to discover that our office is probably located in what was at one time their family’s bathroom, in the flat that they lived in next to the chapel.

Guy and Molly were always full of hope based on belief and trust in the people that they lived and worked among, in the East End of London and in Zimbabwe. It’s an inspiration to think that we are ZA Team in Paris, now running our office from the place where they France to attend once soaked away the strains of the day. We the Zimbabwe look forward to keeping in touch with Sally and through her with Molly, who celebrated her 100 th Europe Network birthday in February this year. Conference and Annual General Meeting with Zimbabwean civil society organisa- tions.

Mandla enjoying the 1 June RefuTea at Refugee Council

Let’s network 2012 Summer 1

Let’s Network!

Join WOZA’s wins Amnesty Terry Ranger’s Acknowledgement International award speech to Zimbabwe Achievers Award, http://www.swradioafrica.com 5 May 2012

Do you want to be a Tichaona Sibanda—04 April 2012 (on being given an award for the non-Zimbabwean who has contributed most to Zimbabwe ) member of Madam Chair and Comrades Zimbabwe I apologise for not being here tonight to receive this Association? award. It is too late in two senses – one that I am 82 and If you want to become a unlike the Great Leader unable to run – and the other that the event is taking place too late in the evening for me to member of Zimbabwe manage it. I am all the more sorry because this award Association, you can visit means a great deal to me. Ever since I first went to Zim- babwe in 1957 I have loved it deeply and tried to serve its our website people in any way I can. www.zimbabweassociation The 2012 Ginetta Sagan USA award has been given to WOZA founder and na- In fact when Judy Todd heard of the award she wrote .org.uk and download a tional coordinator Jenni Williams. to say it was unfair because I am not really a non- membership form. Send Zimbabwean. What I really am is a failed citizen. I applied for citizenship as long ago as 1959, when entitlement Williams becomes the second Zimbabwean woman the form to the address on was controlled by the Federal Government, but was re- to receive the award in four years. Girl Child Network the form with the correct fused. This enabled that Government to declare me a founder, Betty Makoni won it in 2008 for her work in Prohibited Immigrant in 1963. After 1980 I would have membership fee. training girls to succeed in school, thrive in the home applied for Zimbabwean citizenship had it been possible If you need more info on and society and resist sexual abuse and rape. to hold dual nationality but I had grown fond, as well as ashamed, of being British. Zimbabwean citizenship would how to become a member Amnesty International says winners of the award are have greatly simplified my life because I would not then please do call us on recognised for their work to protect the liberty and have needed to apply so many times for research lives of women and children in areas where human clearance to work in the National Archives! 02077398226 between rights violations are widespread. 10am & 4pm But I am proud to be in the company of other non- citizens – of Guy Clutton-Brock, whose citizenship was The award carries a grant of $10,000 and is named rescinded in order that he could be deported; of Garfield If you want to be after Ginetta Sagan, a former honorary Chair of the and Judith Todd who were stripped of citizenship on Board of Directors of Amnesty International USA, the spurious grounds that they could have applied for actively involved ask for who devoted her life to defending the rights of those New Zealand passports; even my great friend, Yvonne a volunteer registration who were unfairly persecuted by repressive govern- Vera, whose Zimbabwean passport was taken from her at ments. Bulawayo airport when she flew to Canada for desper- form. ately needed medical treatment. Guy is buried at Heroes Acre; soon after he was stripped of his citizenship and You can be active from Since 2003 Williams has led peaceful protests in- right to vote, Garfield Todd died and the regime wanted wherever you are: volving thousands of women and men, and they him too to be buried there; Zimbabwe is not ashamed to have all endured harassment, arrests and violence Lobbying claim Yvonne as one of its greatest writers. These are for demanding social and political reforms in Zim- very distinguished failed citizens. Writing for the babwe under the brutal rule of Robert Mugabe. newsletter At the moment I have almost finished my ninth book WOZA also encourages women and men to speak about Zimbabwe’s history. This is a memoir of my first ten out about issues they may be too fearful to raise years in Africa, 1957-1967, and will be entitled Writing alone, including domestic violence and rape. Revolt, meaning both recording the African revolt This year’s annual gen- A statement from Amnesty International said WOZA of those years and explaining how I came to write Revolt eral meeting will be has inspired tens of thousands of women and men to in Southern Rhodesia, 1996-7. Writing it has reminded special as the Zim- stand up for their rights to free speech and assembly me how I literally grew up in Zimbabwe; learnt to be brave; learnt to be engaged in great causes. It brings babwe Association will and the fulfillment of basic needs like food and edu- back to me all the heroic dead – my dear friend Sketchley be commemorating ten cation. Samkange, Leopold Takawira, Herbert Chitepo, Maurice years of hard work and Nyagumbo. If only some of them could have been here ten years of achieve- The statement went on to say: ‘In nearly a decade of tonight. ment. struggle and hundreds of protests, more than 3,000 All members and sup- WOZA supporters have spent time in police custody. So I have written all these books; founded the Britain porters are invited to Williams herself has been arrested 40 times includ- Zimbabwe Society; produced almost 300 asylum reports this event. We are going ing most recently in February during a demonstration and acted as chief witness at the key country judgements. I hope to go on doing what I can. This evening shows to have a choir and to mark WOZA’s 10th anniversary. She has been that even at 82 my contribution is still valued. For that other surprises. beaten, imprisoned without food or medical supplies thank you very much. and threatened with execution.’

Let’s network 2012 Summer 2

Kenya Airways - unwritten DO YOUR CHILDREN policy not to carry forced HAVE PROBLEMS AC- OPEN TUESDAYS removees CESSING HIGHER LEVEL The ZA office aims to be open on An increasing number of people who EDUCATION? IF SO, Tuesdays for members to drop in and have phoned Kenya Airway's to try PLEASE LET US KNOW . catch up on the latest news from Zim- and stay a removal have been told babwe; meet other members; make use the following! of the office facilities; brush up on com- puter skills; discuss volunteering oppor- When the Home Office serves re- Refugees with 5 year leave tunities; plan projects; use the ZA library moval directions on Kenya Airway's in to remain route to settlement Get involved! But call first ... accordance with paragraph 9, of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act to remove If you are a refugee who has been granted some one we do. a five year limited leave to remain and it is due to expire, you will need to apply However if a person so served at for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) before point of flight, that is boarding the your leave expires. plane informs Kenya Airways, they are being forcibly removed and do not You should submit your application form in want to fly; they will not be taken the month before your limited leave expires. aboard as it is not Kenya Airways For example, if it ends on 30 August 2011, policy to carry a disturbed passenger your application should reach UKBA be- as he/she may affect the safety of Be part of our 60+ Club! tween 30 July and 30 August 2011. other passengers and crew. It is important that you apply in time before 60+ is a new Zimbabwe Association your leave expires. This will ensure that: social group for older members South Africa - A sick system your case is considered easily, and your leave continues. abuses its refugees Activities will include : If you do not apply in time, you will no Theatre trips Sadly, the situation for migrants in longer have leave and the UKBA will carry South Africa is often precarious and Films out an in depth review of your case. This Culture sometimes dangerous. Refugees, may lead to your removal from the UK. asylum seekers and undocumented Current affairs migrants face hostility and violence Craftwork You should include all your dependants from local communities and discrimi- Exercise living in the UK on your application form, nation by government institutions. Day trips and much more! Human Rights Watch's research including those born in the UK since you See below—recent visit to The Globe shows that they face discrimination in were granted leave to remain. Theatre, London—to see Two Gentle- public health facilities and abuse from For information on how to apply for indefinite leave to remain before your man of Verona (in Shona) healthcare providers just because they are foreigners. The South Afri- leave expires, you should see the webpage can government, instead of address- www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk ing these problems, has taken policy steps that risk worsening the human Advice line for rights abuses that asylum seekers undocumented and migrants already face. migrants in London Joint Council for the Welfare of Immi- grants (JCWI) advice line on: HELPFUL HINTS: 020 7553 7470 Guide to Educational Grants and will be available for use between 2011/2012” published by DSC. 10am and 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays ISBN 978-1-906294-47-2 and Thursdays.

The book is available by arrangement at local libraries or at the Jesuit Refugee Centre (by appoint- ment).

The Guide contains a comprehensive list of charitable trusts which help fund university, Further Education and other educational courses – either by funding travel, books, sub- sistence costs or fees.

Let’s network 2012 Summer 3

A Landmark Ruling in South The most immediate effect would be on the behavior of South Africa shrinks from Mr. Mugabe’s enforcers in the run-up to the next Africa elections, which are due to take place sometime in the investigating Zimbabwe Peter Godwin (May 14, 2012) next year. During the 2008 elections, hundreds of opposi- torture allegations tion supporters were killed and thousands tortured, a South Africa's North Gauteng High Court For the past decade, South Africa has been the preferred period Zimbabweans refer to as “The Fear.” There are has just ruled that South African prosecu- already signs of an uptick in political violence as the next vacation spot, shopping destination and international tors and police illegally refused to proceed transit hub for members of the tyrannical and murderous election approaches. But the fact that the perpetrators of violence can no longer act with complete impunity should with an investigation of systematic torture government ruling its northern neighbor, Zimbabwe — a in Zimbabwe. South Africa, like many government that has rigged elections, beaten and killed make many of them think twice. opposition activists and ruined a once thriving economy. All efforts should now be brought to bear on Mr. Zuma countries, has adopted the international All of this could now change because of a landmark legal and the South African government to dissuade them from crime prosecution Treaty ("the Rome decision. appealing the verdict. South Africa’s powerful trade union Statute"). This means that under ordinary Last week, the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa’s movement, Cosatu, which is allied with the ruling African domestic law (the ICC Act) the South administrative capital, handed down a historic judgment. National Congress, should strenuously lobby Mr. Zuma African investigative authorities have the for this law to be honored, as should the lively South It ordered South African authorities to investigate and power to prosecute anyone who has com- prosecute members of Robert Mugabe’s government who African media. Likewise, all nations that care about countering crimes mitted torture, or a crime against human- had tortured their political opponents. Under South Afri- ity anywhere in the world, if the perpetra- can law, the police are obliged to investigate evidence of against humanity should pressure South Africa to accept a crime against humanity, wherever it occurs, if the rule of the court’s decision. By letting this judgment stand, Mr. tor is in the country (at any time when law does not exist there, as is the case in Zimbabwe. Zuma’s government has a historic opportunity to show its investigation is contemplated). Jurisdic- The ruling has profound implications. It could cement critics that it has a genuine commitment to human rights. tion is also vested irrespective of the per- South Africa’s commitment to protecting human rights If, however, South Africa seeks to reverse the ruling, it will petrator's whereabouts if the victim is a and broaden the application of universal jurisdiction, be a tragedy for Zimbabwe’s many torture victims, past South African citizen. and future. which is the ability of countries to prosecute people who committed certain egregious crimes outside its borders. Read more: Rosalind English, UK Human Unfortunately, the South African authorities want to side- Rights Blog, 14/05/12 step it and are reportedly preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which oversees the High Courts. CHOICES Fahamu Refugee Programme Overturning the ruling would be a disastrous setback, and ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN is trying to set up a project which will link all those who care about human rights in Africa should SERVICE organisations in deporting countries and pressure President Jacob Zuma of South Africa to let the countries of origin to assist and safe- decision stand. guard individual failed asylum seekers The case began in early 2008, when lawyers gave South Choices gives free confidential who have been deported. See website African government prosecutors a dossier containing advice and information to help you (still under construction ) for more de- evidence that 17 Zimbabweans, some of whom now live tails: http://frlan.org/content/deportation- in South Africa, had been tortured. They had been seized decide whether to return voluntarily. failed-asylum-seekers-0. or contact by Mr. Mugabe’s police in Zimbabwe during a raid of the main opposition party’s headquarters. The police then If you decide to return, we will: Leana Podeszfa at failedasylumseekers- tortured them with electric shocks, mock executions and • Help you plan your return [email protected] simulated drowning. Inside the dossier were the victims’ • Offer support at the airport sworn statements, corroborating affidavits from witnesses UK Migration: a Hierarchy of and doctors and the identities of the alleged perpetrators. and in your country Yet the South African government prosecutors have so Injustices far refused to investigate these allegations, overruling the • Apply for travel documents The social cohesion and inclusion recommendations of the prosecutor in charge of the case. and pay for the flight debate does not even begin to touch They tried to argue that such an investigation was im- practical, and that it would complicate diplomatic relations • In some cases, give you fi- the lives of those invisible migrants with Zimbabwe at a time when President Zuma was nancial support after you who toil all hours of the day working supposed to be mediating between Mr. Mugabe and the have returned out ways of pleasing their employ- opposition. The Pretoria High Court threw out all these ers / traffickers / husbands. It is the objections, and said that the South African police and prosecutors had acted unconstitutionally by letting politi- Ring 0808 800 0007 existence of this population, more cal considerations stop them, and that they were obliged than any other, which exposes the to investigate. myth of democratic universalism Although South African prosecutors cannot try the perpe- trators in absentia, the case will still have a galvanizing OLD CASES?? effect on the situation in Zimbabwe. Anyone there who is Did you claim asylum long ago? There is a divide at the heart of the under investigation will now risk arrest by coming to (Perhaps you were refused and didn’t know migrant community in the UK be- South Africa, a country frequented by the Zimbabwean what to do next.) tween visible and invisible migrants, elite for shopping, medical treatment, catching interna- the documented and the undocu- tional flights or visiting their vacation homes in Johannes- burg or Cape Town. If you claimed BEFORE 2007, and have not mented. Some of the good work Already there is speculation about who is on the confi- been granted any form of status or had your done by activists trying to open up dential suspect list. It is believed to include midranking case resolved please contact ZA office. immigration controls so that migrants and senior police officers, and members of the military have space to live and breathe has council that essentially runs Zimbabwe for Mr. Mugabe. Thanks. But future cases may reach higher, as South Africa’s laws had the perverse effect of damaging could trump diplomatic and sovereign immunity, which Please Note the position of invisible migrants - no means sitting heads of state could be potentially vulner- accident as the interests of these two able, too — although they would have to be on South If you know of any one who has been populations have been posited as African soil to face arrest. detained in a removal centre please do This ruling would have a far greater impact than the antagonistic by the State. current American and European Union sanctions, which let the office know about the detainee. Read more : Rahila Gupta, Open Democ- impose a travel ban and asset freeze on Mr. Mugabe and racy 1st May 2012 his inner circle, who still routinely manage to travel to United Nations gatherings in the and Stark choice under new immigration rules: exile or family breakup

Europe by exploiting diplomatic exemptions. Home secretary Theresa May briefs MPs on changes that may disqualify non-EU partners from UK family visas Alan Travis, guardian.co.uk, Friday 8 June 2012

Let’s network 2012 Summer 4

PIONEERING FISHERWOMEN

Rosemary Cumanzala studied at the University of Sussex on a Canon Collins scholarship in 2008. She is now running a Tonga women's empowerment project in the Binga District of Zimbabwe, which has recently acquired and is now operating a fishing rig on Lake Kariba.

You can read more about these pioneering fisherwomen here

Rosemary says: " The theory I learnt during my MA Gender and Development Studies is now put into practice. May I take this Pelagia Zigangwe Hungwe (above) – an advisory commit- opportunity to thank Canon Collins for taking the women to tee member of the Zimbabwe Association and the Zim- greater heights ." babwe Action in Solidarity (ZAS) Leicester Drop-in Centre’s co-ordinator – received the Eva Organization for Women Certificate of Appreciation on March 8, 2012 as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. The award recog- nises and celebrates the contribution of outstanding, inspi- rational women who have made a positive impact within the local community. Sadiyo Siad , the founder and CEO of the Eva Organisation for Women (EOW), presented the award on March 17, 2012. She said that by presenting the award to Pelagia Hungwe, the Eva Organisation for Women and the commu- nity of Leicester were recognising the dedication and com- mitment with which, for the past two years, Pelagia Hungwe has been helping run the ZAS Drop-in Centre. “You have been an outstanding and inspirational woman for the community work that you had been involved in,” Sadiyo Siad said.

DETENTION NEWS: An investigation by Medical Justice , has found that torture victims are being held in immigration detention centres in breach of the Home Of- fice's own rules. Rule 35 of the 2001 Detention Centre Rules, which should prevent torture victims being locked up in all but exceptional cir- cumstances, is routinely being flouted. Rule 35 requires doctors and healthcare teams in immigration removal centres to report the case of any individual who they are concerned may have been tortured. In cases where there is independent medical evidence that people have been tortured, they should be released. See Channel 4's news clip at: http://www.channel4.com/news/government-breaching-rules-on-torture-victims The Medical Justice Report, "The Second Torture” is available at http://www.medicaljustice.org.uk/images/stories/reports/ secondtorturereport.pdf

Detention centre failures contributed to death of asylum seeker, inquest finds Diane Taylor, guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 May 2012 Neglect by immigration detention centre staff contributed to the death of a Pakistani asylum seeker after he suffered a heart attack, an inquest jury has found. Staff at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, near Heathrow airport, failed to call 999 soon enough, to administer CPR or have a working defibrillator available, an inquest at West London coroner's court, found. Muhammad Shukat, 47, a driver from Islamabad, died following a cardiac arrest last July. His 19-year-old roommate Abdul Khan pressed the emergency buzzer 10 times over a period of almost two hours, trying but failing to get Shu- kat, a man he called "uncle", help. The UK Border Agency, which commissions Serco to run the centre, said the verdict was "deeply worrying" and de- manded radical action to address the problems.

Serco investigated over claims of 'unsafe' out-of-hours GP service (Yarl's Wood/Colnbrook IRCs are managed by Serco + 6 prisons) A leading private health company, poised to win much of the new wave of NHS outsourcing contracts, is under in- vestigation for allegedly providing an "unsafe" out-of-hours GP service, and over claims that it manipulated results where it failed to meet targets.

Serco, which runs a large range of outsourced services for the government and local authorities, was subject to an unannounced inspection by NHS watchdogs in Cornwall last month in response to whistleblowers. Read more: Felicity Lawrence, Independent, guardian.co.uk , 25/05/12

Let’s network 2012 Summer 5

ZA Office Save the Africa Centre campaign ends Contact Details Oxford House The ‘option to sell’ 38 King Street has been signed, and tenants have been asked to vacate the Derbyshire St building by December 2012, when the sale will be complete. London E2 6HG tel: 0207 739 8226 “It is our understanding that 38 King Street was bequeathed to the Africa Centre in its info@zimbabweassociation widest sense and belongs to all of us .” However, the 1961 Governing Document allows a .org.uk quorum of three trustees to agree to the sale of any asset of the charity, including the building Drop in Centres: that is its foundation stone. The letter of the law approves of the sale and nothing can be done Birmingham to stop it. 1 Piers Rd, Handsworth, B21 0UY, monthly The Save the Africa Centre campaign aims to reconvene in 2014, at the 50th Anniversary of the Africa Centre’s opening, to establish how the Africa Centre and its trustees have progressed in ZAS Leicester http:// zimbabweassociation.org.uk/ preserving the legacy of the charity; judiciously utilizing the funds realized from the sale of 38 drop-in-centres/leicester/ King Street and maintained the legacy and relevance of the Africa Centre.

ZAM Manchester http:// zimbabweassociation.org.uk/ Congratulations & best wishes drop-in-centres/manchester/ Weddings : to Khuluza & Emma Births Congratulations to Esther and Patson on the birth of their daugh- ter, Ennie.

Deaths Rest in Peace

Br Bernard Elliot 20 May 1929-2 April 2012

“Life is for love and time is ours only that we may find Zimbabwe Unwound Launch God.” 18 May at Oxford House “To the faithful, life is but changed not ended.”

END NOTES: Upcoming events:

Saturday 16 June : Britain Zimbabwe Society’s Annual Research Day will be held at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford and will showcase research on ‘Zimbabwe and the Region’.

Saturday 16 June : Southend Zimbabwean Network event details: http://zimbabweassociation.org.uk/events/upcoming-events/

19 June 2012, University of Leicester will be hosting " Hope and Resilience for Refugees and Asylum Seekers", a one-day conference that will explore how hope and resilience can be fostered in the current climate through an emphasis on human rights, approaches to justice in psychological therapy, and through building solidarity in the voluntary and statutory sector.

Tuesday 26 June : Event to mark the International Day in Support of Torture Victims (details will be posted on ZA website)

Detention and Removals Update : There is a new page on the ZA website giving information about detention and removals. Look under ‘Detention’ on the menu bar, to find it. Call the office if you have any problems. Help us to keep this information accurate by letting us know about anyone being detained or given removal directions.

Disclaimer This Newsletter only provides general information and guidance. It is not intended to replace the advice or services of a solicitor. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The Zimbabwe Association and the Editor will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. Editor Let’s network 2012 Summer 6