<<previous | index | next>>
Withdraw the proposed NGO Bill and amend it to bring it in line
with Zimbabwe’s obligations under its Constitution, international human rights
standards, the SADC Guidelines, and the UN Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders.
Reforms should include:
Removing the provisions that deny local NGOs whose purposes
include “issues of governance” access to foreign funding and that prohibit the
registration of foreign NGOs involved in “issues of governance”.
Transforming the NGO Council into a more independent body that
would promote a more positive climate between the government and NGOs. In
particular, changes should reduce the Minister’s power to control appointments
to the NGO Council, creating a role for NGOs to provide input into the
selection of the Council, and improving the balance of government and NGO
representatives on the Council.
Simplifying the requirement for NGO registration by eliminating
the requirements that NGOs register annually and pay an annual registration
fee, and mandating time limits to expedite decisions on registration and
de-registration. Organizations that do not receive a decision on their
registration request by a specific period should be deemed to be officially
registered.
Instituting an appeals procedure to an independent administrative
body to facilitate impartial adjudication of appeals against the decisions of
the Minister and the NGO Council.
Eliminating the principle of criminal liability for statutory
offences that improperly infringe upon fundamental rights, including the rights
to freedom of association and expression.
Engage and urge the government of Zimbabwe to reconcile its
proposed NGO law with SADC standards, including SADC Principles and Guidelines
Governing Democratic Elections, and in particular, the freedoms of association
and expression.
|
