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Church protests rape victim’s return to Zimbabwe

-31/01/05

The United Reformed Church has called on its members and others to help in the fight to prevent a refugee who escaped a nightmare of persecution in Zimbabwe from being sent back.

Edneth Gotora fled Zimbabwe in October 2002. Her husband had been a prominent figure in the Movement for Democratic Change. He spoke regularly at meetings and rallies and distributed literature criticizing the ruling Zanu PF Party.

Early in 2002, a series of brutal attacks began. In February Edneth and her husband were beaten by Zanu PF youths. In March, Edneth’s husband was arrested, detained and beaten by Zimbabwean Police before being released without charge.

On 23rd March a group of Zanu PF members came to the house and subjected the family to the most unspeakable ordeal. Edneth’s husband was taken and killed, and her 4 year old daughter later died from her injuries.

Edneth reported the incident and the perpetrators were apprehended. They were later released on bail and proceeded to threaten Edneth. After a series of such threatening visits Edneth was abducted and taken to a ‘rehabilitation camp’ where her abductors told her she would be encouraged to ‘follow the right path’ ñ a result normally achieved by the practice of torture. Whilst at the camp, Edneth was raped by the camp leader. She became so unwell that she was taken to the hospital from where she made her escape.

After her arrival in Britain Edneth settled in Stockton-on-Tees where she became a member of the local United Reformed Church.

While the facts of her case have not been disputed, her application for asylum has been refused on the grounds that it was her husband who was the activist and he is dead ñ a conclusion which the Church rejects as both naÔve and grossly lacking in compassion.

Until 2004 the Government accepted that no-one was to be returned to Zimbabwe, whatever the status of their application, on the grounds that it was too dangerous. Now, with no change for the better in the political situation, refugees are being returned. Edneth is virtually in hiding and is very afraid.

Edneth and her local URC minister, the Revd Colin Offor presented a petition of some 300 signatures to their local MP. They were told that such is the hard line within the Home Office that it stood little chance of making an impact unless its size was substantially increased before it is next presented on February 21st.

The full text of the petition, together with the return address, can be found via the front page of the URCís national website.


Find books now:

Church protests rape victim’s return to Zimbabwe

-31/01/05

The United Reformed Church has called on its members and others to help in the fight to prevent a refugee who escaped a nightmare of persecution in Zimbabwe from being sent back.

Edneth Gotora fled Zimbabwe in October 2002. Her husband had been a prominent figure in the Movement for Democratic Change. He spoke regularly at meetings and rallies and distributed literature criticizing the ruling Zanu PF Party.

Early in 2002, a series of brutal attacks began. In February Edneth and her husband were beaten by Zanu PF youths. In March, Edneth’s husband was arrested, detained and beaten by Zimbabwean Police before being released without charge.

On 23rd March a group of Zanu PF members came to the house and subjected the family to the most unspeakable ordeal. Edneth’s husband was taken and killed, and her 4 year old daughter later died from her injuries.

Edneth reported the incident and the perpetrators were apprehended. They were later released on bail and proceeded to threaten Edneth. After a series of such threatening visits Edneth was abducted and taken to a ‘rehabilitation camp’ where her abductors told her she would be encouraged to ‘follow the right path’ ñ a result normally achieved by the practice of torture. Whilst at the camp, Edneth was raped by the camp leader. She became so unwell that she was taken to the hospital from where she made her escape.

After her arrival in Britain Edneth settled in Stockton-on-Tees where she became a member of the local United Reformed Church.

While the facts of her case have not been disputed, her application for asylum has been refused on the grounds that it was her husband who was the activist and he is dead ñ a conclusion which the Church rejects as both naÔve and grossly lacking in compassion.

Until 2004 the Government accepted that no-one was to be returned to Zimbabwe, whatever the status of their application, on the grounds that it was too dangerous. Now, with no change for the better in the political situation, refugees are being returned. Edneth is virtually in hiding and is very afraid.

Edneth and her local URC minister, the Revd Colin Offor presented a petition of some 300 signatures to their local MP. They were told that such is the hard line within the Home Office that it stood little chance of making an impact unless its size was substantially increased before it is next presented on February 21st.

The full text of the petition, together with the return address, can be found via the front page of the URCís national website.