Back to Index

Closure of Daily News paper in Zimbabwe
Inter Africa Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET)
October 28, 2003

The Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development - AFRONET has been keenly following political events in Zimbabwe, beginning with the incessant harassment of journalists, accusations of gross human rights violations, the distressing socio-economic conditions and the continued post-electoral crisis are all symptoms of a reversal of democratic process in the Southern African country, which at its independence, was a beacon of hope for many.

It is a matter beyond dispute that any democracy thrives on divergent, views or simply put dissent. There can be no meaningful people participation in the governance of the country, if all forms of dissent are either criminalised or plainly made impossible.

The closure and arrest of five directors of the Daily News, amounts to a serious affront to the Freedom of Expression and Association to which the Zimbabwean government ascribes. Any efforts aimed at destroying the Daily News or any other form of dissent can only deepen the already unenviable political situation in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe like many African countries is party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which clearly states that 'everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression: this right including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.'

Let nobody be cheated that falsely accusing and persecuting Journalists and others opposed to the ideals of the ruling government will change the current volatile situation, as restraining people from airing their opinions only aggravates matters.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP