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PROPOSED NGO LAW WILL SILENCE CRITICS, WARNS ARTICLE 19

In Zimbabwe, the space for airing alternative viewpoints or opinions critical of the government continues to shrink. A new bill has been proposed to regulate non-governmental organisations and if enacted, will further silence critics and deprive the public of its right to access information, warns ARTICLE 19.

In a letter to the African Commission on Human and Peoples? Rights, the IFEX member has expressed grave concerns over the 2004 Zimbabwean Non-Governmental Organisations Bill (NGO Bill), saying it violates international standards on freedom of expression and freedom of association.

Under the Bill, local NGOs would be prohibited from receiving foreign funding or donations to promote or defend human rights, which are defined as "issues of governance." Foreign human rights NGOs - those whose staff are not permanent residents or citizens of Zimbabwe - would also be barred from operating in Zimbabwe.

The Bill would also require all NGOs in the country to register with the government, says ARTICLE 19. It carries penalties for those who do not register, including imprisonment for up to six months and fines. An NGO Council tightly controlled by the government would decide who could be registered as an NGO and be given powers to appoint board members if an NGO was suspended. It would also establish a code of conduct for NGOs and charge an annual registration fee, reports IRIN News.

ARTICLE 19 says human rights organisations play a key role in society by helping to expose violations and defend individuals. Their effectiveness is largely because of international support from non-profit funding agencies and foreign governments. "Depriving NGOs of their independence and resources to carry out their mandate is inconsistent with democratic values," the organisation says.

The text of the proposed bill is available here: http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/legisl/040731ngobill.asp?sector=LEGISL


WHAT YOU CAN DO:


1) Write to the African Commission on Human and Peoples? Rights, expressing your concerns over the proposed bill. Use ARTICLE 19's letter as a reference:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60886/
2) Stay informed. Visit these sites:

- ARTICLE 19: http://www.article19.org
- Amnesty International: http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAFR460212004
- IRIN News:
www.irinnews.org

- African Commission Report on Zimbabwe:
www.kubatana.net