Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Zimbabwe passes NGO Act to shut down human rights
Amnesty International is outraged at the enactment this week of a new law, which bans foreign human rights organizations from working in Zimbabwe and could be used to close down local human rights groups.
"The law is a direct attack on human rights in Zimbabwe and should be immediately repealed," says Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Program.
The Non-governmental Organizations Act (NGO Act) specifically targets organizations that "promote and protect human rights". The Act also gives the government sweeping powers to interfere with the operations of any NGO in Zimbabwe through a government-appointed NGO Council. Under the Act, Zimbabwean NGOs are prohibited from receiving any foreign funding to engage in human rights work.
"Preventing local NGOs from receiving foreign funding for human rights work would effectively mean the end of many vital human rights programs, as there is so little local funding available," Kolawole Olaniyan said. "This Act is a disaster for victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders. It is wholly inconsistent with Zimbabwe's obligations under international human rights laws to which it is party. We have grave fears that those organizations that have done most to raise awareness of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe will now be targeted for closure," he added.
Amnesty International is outraged at the enactment this week of a new law, which bans foreign human rights organizations from working in Zimbabwe and could be used to close down local human rights groups.
"The law is a direct attack on human rights in Zimbabwe and should be immediately repealed," says Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Program.
The Non-governmental Organizations Act (NGO Act) specifically targets organizations that "promote and protect human rights". The Act also gives the government sweeping powers to interfere with the operations of any NGO in Zimbabwe through a government-appointed NGO Council. Under the Act, Zimbabwean NGOs are prohibited from receiving any foreign funding to engage in human rights work.
"Preventing local NGOs from receiving foreign funding for human rights work would effectively mean the end of many vital human rights programs, as there is so little local funding available," Kolawole Olaniyan said. "This Act is a disaster for victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders. It is wholly inconsistent with Zimbabwe's obligations under international human rights laws to which it is party. We have grave fears that those organizations that have done most to raise awareness of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe will now be targeted for closure," he added.
