Human Rights in Zimbabwe A talk by Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa of Zimbabwe Thursday, May 15th at 7:30 p.m. in 1415 Sul Ross

Waves of human rights violations have been sweeping through Zimbabwe as the outcome of the March 29 general elections continues to hang in limbo. The New York Times states unequivocally that “The evidence is now overwhelming that the Zimbabwean regime of Robert Mugabe is engaged in a massive, orchestrated and brutal campaign to punish and terrorize its opponents.” Due to a last-minute opportunity, The Rothko Chapel, in cooperation with United Nations Houston, is especially pleased to host Methodist Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa, of Zimbabwe, who will speak about the current crisis at 7:30 p.m. on May 15th at the Chapel Archives House, 1415 Sul Ross. Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa was elected bishop by United Methodists in the Africa Central Conference in a watershed election on August 28, 1968. For the first time in history a black and indigenous pastor ascended to the Episcopacy. Bishop Muzorewa has been active in education as well as church affairs in Africa and was one of the founding members of Africa University’s Board of Directors. Because of his wide-spread reputation and the expertise he had gained in national political issues as a church leader, Bishop Muzorewa’s constituency in the Church and nation urged him to run for political office. He assented and in 1979 was elected the first black Prime Minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia for nine months. Although Bishop Muzorewa is an outspoken advocate of non-violence in the tradition of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his house has been bombed, and he has lived in exile. In 1983 the present government detained him for ten months without cause and without trial. Of that experience Bishop Muzorewa says, “I have forgiven all concerned for that cruel act against me.” He has said that politics has no place in Christianity, but Christianity has a place in politics.