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This article participates on the following special index pages:
NGO Bill - Index of Opinion and Analysis
Zimbabwe:
Human rights groups must not be banned
Amnesty
International
AI
Index: AFR 46/021/2004 (Public) News Service No: 187
July 23,
2004
Amnesty International
today expressed grave concern at reports that the Zimbabwe government
plans to ban international human rights groups as well as the foreign
funding of local organizations promoting rights in the country.
The measures
are reportedly contained in a draft bill governing the operation
of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
"These reports
indicate that as with other legislation introduced in the past two
years, the government will use this new bill to silence critical
voices and further restrict the right to freedom of expression.
It is a clear attempt by the government to suppress dissenting views
as parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2005 draw closer,"
Amnesty International said.
Amnesty International
calls on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately repeal or amend
all legislation which violates the rights to freedom of expression,
association and assembly and bring national legislation in line
with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the
African Charter and other international human rights standards.
At the opening
of parliament on 20 July 2004, President Mugabe confirmed that new
legislation governing the operation of NGOs would be introduced
to replace the Private Voluntary Organizations Act.
Public Document
***************************************
For more
information please call Amnesty International's press office in
London, UK, on
+44 20
7413 5566 Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW.
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR460212004?open&of=ENG-ZWE
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