Embassy of Zimbabwe - Strand, London, UK
N 51° 30.567 W 000° 07.441
30U E 699569 N 5710401
The Embassy of Zimbabwe is located in Zimbabwe House that stands on the north west side of Strand, at the junction with Agar Street, in central London.
Waymark Code: WMMV79
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/07/2014
Views: 3
Wikipedia has an article about the Embassy of Zimbabwe that tells us:
The Embassy of Zimbabwe in London is the diplomatic mission of Zimbabwe in the United Kingdom. It is located in Zimbabwe House at 429 Strand in central London. It was previously a High Commission and became an embassy after Zimbabwe's departure from the Commonwealth on 7 December 2003 in protest of international criticism of Robert Mugabe's regime's human rights record and its policies.
The building was designed by architect Charles Holden in 1907–08 as the headquarters of the British Medical Association and featured a series of sculptures by Jacob Epstein representing the development of science and the Ages of Man, his first major commission in London. The nakedness of many of these sculptures was initially shocking to Edwardian sensibilities and provoked considerable controversy at the time. The controversy soon died down and the mutilated condition of many of the sculptures has nothing to do with prudish censorship; it was caused in the 1930s when possibly dangerous projecting features were hacked off after pieces fell from one of the statues.
Zimbabwe House was originally called Rhodesia House, and served as the High Commission of Southern Rhodesia from 1923 until the Rhodesian UDI on 11 November 1965. Rhodesia was unique in being the only British colony to have a High Commission, as only dominions (and later, independent Commonwealth members) were represented by such legations.
After the UDI, Rhodesia's High Commissioner, Brigadier Andrew Skeen was declared persona non-grata by the British Government and ordered to leave the country. However, because of concerns over diplomatic property under international law, Rhodesia House was not seized by the British Government. It simply became a Representative Office with no official diplomatic status, until the colony gained independence as Zimbabwe in 1980.
The embassy is frequently the focus of protests against the Zimbabwean government and the regime of President Robert Mugabe.
The Embassy's website tells us:
About Us - We are here to provide general information about the Zimbabwean embassy in the United Kingdom and has no affiliation with the Zimbabwean embassy or the Zimbabwean visa section in London.
Consular Assistance - The Zimbabwean consulate can assist with consular services to Zimbabwean citizens. This service encompasses, render support in the case of an accident, the case of death, and arrange for next of kin to be informed, facilitate during emergency situations such as civil disturbances and natural disasters and furthermore witness and certify signatures and provide certain other notarial and legal services, for which fees are payable.
Zimbabwean Passport - Zimbabwean citizens could also get the Zimbabwean passport application form and procedures to submit an application for Zimbabwean passport or travel documents by speaking with the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.
Zimbabwean Visa - The Zimbabwean Embassies and Consular Offices are the only Competent Zimbabwean Government Agencies, who are allowed to issue Zimbabwean visas in another country. any risks which might arise when boarding flights or at Zimbabwean ports of entry due to possible miscommunication, travellers are strongly recommended to apply with the Zimbabwean Embassy and Consular Offices in United Kingdom to get Zimbabwean visas before travelling.
Economical Affairs - The embassy in London deals with the full range of bilateral and multilateral economic aspects combined with environmental, science and technology issues.