To Mugabe, With Love

This Valentine’s Day send love letters for Zimbabwe
Valentine's Day is globally recognized as a day of love, typically marked with flowers, candy, and spending time with those who mean the most to us. For some, however, this Valentine’s Day will bring no respite from the hardship they face.

In Zimbabwe, people are suffering. Their health, safety and dignity are jeopardized by a harsh assault on human rights in which, Zimbabwean citizens are subjected to state-sponsored intimidation, arbitrary and unlawful arrests, torture, and even murder. As people have been dying from starvation or lack of medical care, Zimbabwe’s authorities have focused their efforts on trying to silence human rights defenders who seek to call attention to the country’s deepening human rights crisis. Most recently, over twenty people, including Jestina Mukoko of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, were victims of enforced disappearances carried out by state security forces between October and December 2008. These human rights violations are happening in the context of a collapsed economy, food shortages, and a devastating cholera epidemic exacerbated by a paralyzed health system.

Knowing that they do so in great peril to themselves, human rights defenders continue to bravely fight for the respect and protection of human rights.

The members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) mark Valentine’s Day by taking to the streets, peacefully spreading their message: “love of self, of family, of community and of country." This message is not always welcomed by the authorities, and WOZA members have been jailed on numerous accessions. This Valentine’s Day join with WOZA and all human rights defenders in Zimbabwe to show President Mugabe that love can conquer violence and repression.

Send Valentines to President Mugabe!

It’s fun and easy. You can make your own Valentines or purchase Valentines at the store. Include a short message asking President Mugabe to demonstrate his love and care for the people of Zimbabwe by protecting human rights. There are some suggested phrases below, but feel free to be creative.

Please send your completed Valentines to Amnesty International's Washington, DC office at the address below by February 28. They will then be compiled and mailed to President Robert Mugabe as well as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to the United States.

Please send Valentines to:

Ilona Kelly
Individuals at Risk Program
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington DC 20003



Sample Messages:

End the Harassment of Human Rights Defenders
Drop Charges Against WOZA Members, including Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu
Stop the Torture of Detainees
Love is the Greater Power
Protect Human Rights
Respect Human Rights
Free Human Rights Defender Jestina Mukoko
Give All Detainees Access to Lawyers