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This article participates on the following special index pages:
NGO Bill - Index of Opinion and Analysis
Midnight
debut for the NGO Bill
National
Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO)
November 17, 2004
The NGO Bill
made its Parliamentary debut yesterday and today might be the day
of reckoning. Many thanks to those who heeded the call and attended
the Parliamentary session yesterday, we need an even stronger presence
in the public gallery today [never mind the schoolkids taking up
all the space, just try to be there by 2pm]
Proceedings
on the NGO Bill began at 12:00 midnight amidst high dramma and ravaging
debate and ended today at 6am. Four MDC Mps were thrown indicating
the intensity of debate around the Bill and the resoluteness of
the state to pass the Bill as it is. The state indicated great concerns
around the issues of national security, foreign interferance, infringement
of political space and human rights. That these concerns are unfounded
is apparent, but what is appalling is the fact that there was little
recognition on the state's part of the great work that NGOs have
been doing in promoting national development. All of a sudden NGOs
have become a national threatt when throughout the years they have
essentially been complementary partners to government in fostering
development.
The debate will
resume again today at 2:15pm with the tabling of the meagre ammendments
sent out by the Minister and voting on the Bill.
The entrenchment
of a legacy of bad laws
As
our Parliament cotinues to invest in oppressive laws, about which
it has shown record determination, the NGO Bill stands next in line
and indications show a high likelihood of it being passed in its
current state. The Adverse Report by the Parliamentary Legal Committee
on the Bill was thrown out, thus diminishing the last hope of the
Bill being redrafted. It therefore remains for the NGO Sector to
start counting its losses and focusing on the way forward.
National
advocacy committee meeting
NANGO
continues to closely monitor the parliamentary process and will
be keeping you up to date as events unfold. However speeded emphasis
is now being placed towards cementing the post-Bill response strategy.
In this regard the National Advocacy Committee will meet on Thursday
to deliberate on the way forward, please be advised that the advocacy
process will still proceed even after the promulgation of the Bill.
The challenge remains in spite of the Bill for us all to continuously
advocate for a positive and enabling operating environment and an
unrestrained civil society in Zimbabwe.
Responses
We will be glad to respond to queries and questions pertaining
the Bill proces and the response strategy. Please contact Jacob
or Fambai on our hotline +263-4-732612.
Visit the NANGO
fact
sheet
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