Zimrights to honour outstanding Human Rights Defenders

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights) will this Thursday honour outstanding human rights defenders who have exposed rights violations and campaigned for redress for the victims through out the year 2014.

The annual event which seems to be growing in popularity and stature every year will this year be held at a Bulawayo Hotel where over 20 Human Rights Defenders are expected to walk away with various awards for their efforts over the year.

Human Rights Defenders are individuals, groups of people or organisations who promote and protect human rights through peaceful and non violent means. The Human Rights Awards honour grassroots based community campaigners or activists for their contributions towards the promotion of human rights in their communities and the country as a whole.

Three nominees are drawn from each province and the winner for each province is chosen by a panel of adjudicators chosen from the different organisations that constitute Zimrights. After the provincial winners are drawn a national HRD will be selected from the ten provincial winners.

Several other accolades such as the female and male human rights defender o the year, human rights journalist of the year and outstanding human rights defender Member of Parliament of the year are also accorded. Top of the awards is the People's Choice Award where members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite defender. This year's nominees for the people's choice award are; - Rebecca Chisamba - Joseph Chinotimba - Beatrice Mthethwa - Jestina Mukoko - Matenda Madzoke - Jessie Majome - Makhosi Musambasi - David Mubaiwa - Mandla Moyo - Phathisa Nyathi.

Members of the public can vote for their favourite nominee by sending a whatsapp message to 0779559382 or 0737563142 or 0716961184.