I am in despair at the state of affairs in Zimbabwe. Every day the media reports the most horrific, vile events - and that is all I see: reportage. Neither the public nor the government appears to be taking any action, even appears to show any sympathy. As a politically active citizen, I want to encourage people to support those who are trying to save lives and and livelihoods in Zimbabwe; I want to encourage people to rally governments worldwide and the UN to take action against a despicable regime that, under an obviously fictitious veil of democracy, has become nothing more than a sick and desperate dictatorship. But I see no outlet for this. I see little public or institutional interest, and this is why I despair. We are witnessing the perpetration of the most evil abuses and doing nothing. There are a few petitions with barely scores of signatures; but given the way the government treats the issue - occasionally releasiing statements that are nothing more than a wagging finger, condemning, but not making any attempt to cease, Zanu PF’s actions - it is no surprise to me that people are either ignorant, unmotivated or incapable of responding actively. As a representative of the public, please take every opportunity you get to raise this issue to your peers, who are in a position to spread awareness and encourage action, since it is an issue of extreme importance: it is an issue of people’s rights, futures and even lives.

It is one sad thing to read these events in a newspaper; it is far more shameful and frightening to think that our supposedly socially-advanced government is watching and doing nothing to stop them.

Yours sincerely,