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Zimbabwe Crackdown on NGOs Could Impact Election Observation — Global Issues


There is concern that the crackdown on NGOs in Zimbabwe could affect observer status in the upcoming elections. Other areas that could be affected include sexual reproductive health access, food aid and education. This photo was taken during the 2018 election. Credit: Commonwealth Observer Delegation
  • by Ignatius Banda (bulawayo, zimbabwe)
  • Joint press service

Zimbabwe is pressing ahead with a controversial bill that critics say seeks to criminalize the activities of NGOs operating in the country.

The amendments to the Private Voluntary Organizations Act are designed to prevent illegal money from entering the country under the guise of funding by NGOs, according to senior government officials. government but is believed to be used to advance political agendas and to lobby politically.

The country’s ruling party, the African National Union of Zimbabwe (Patriotic Front), has been suspicious of NGOs, regularly accusing them of working with hostile foreign countries to promote what they call NGOs. This is called “mode change program“.

In recent days, members of the public have been invited by parliament to share their views on the proposed amendments, but the violent disruption has marred these public gatherings by what. rights groups say they are activists of the ruling party eager to see the bill passed into law.

This comes as a senior government official, Larry Mavima, said in early March that the country does not need NGOs because Zimbabwe is not at war, advising that NGOs should “go to Ukraine“Where their services are needed.

“How long should we continue to rely on others? There was a time when NGOs were needed, but we have to come out of this mentality,” Mavima told a public gathering in the Midlands province ravaged by cyclical drought and where demand is not clear. humanitarian needs continue to increase.

Comments are quickly met with widespread condemnation from the humanitarian field in a country where millions survive with the help of NGOs, including sexual reproductive health, food aid and education.

According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsBefore Covid-19 appeared, more than 7 million people in both rural and urban areas requested food assistance, with World food program note that the numbers increase with poor harvests in the 2020-21 and 2020-22 seasons.

However, there are concerns about the proposed amendment to the election timing law ahead of elections scheduled for 2023.

NGOs involved in civics education were particularly targeted when a government minister alleged that the public, voluntary organizations working, especially in rural areas, had failed Follow their duty and politicize the villagers.

Carine Kaneza Nantulya, Africa Human Rights Watch’s Advocacy Director, said: “The ban on NGOs will affect upcoming elections as it will undermine the ability of organizations to do so. civil society organizations in observing, covering and monitoring elections”.

“Active NGOs and civil society organizations are fundamental to an open, free and democratic society because of their role in protecting and promoting human rights and the rule of law. . The amendment of the PVO Act is a worrying development that comes amid a broader crackdown on citizenship space in Zimbabwe. ” Nantulya told IPS via email.

This is not the first time Zimbabwe has escalated its efforts to block NGOs.

In July last year, the provincial development coordinator of the capital city Harare Tafadzwa Muguti request which registered NGOs will seek approval from his office before undertaking any programme.

The announcement was met with swift opposition from civil society groups, who challenge the directive in court and won, with a high court judge questioning the legitimacy of such claims.

Efforts to block NGOs have also attracted international attention. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights added his voice and issued a statement calling on the Zimbabwean government to “stop interfering in NGO’s activities. ”

NGO groups have said they will oppose the amendment of the PVO Act in court if it is passed into law.

ONE joint report, author of the South African Human Rights Defenders Network, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Zimbabwe Accountability Laboratory, examined the possible economic impact of the PVO amendment bill. The report released in February raised concerns about the far-reaching impact of outlaw NGO activity in Zimbabwe.

“Any disruption in the activities of NGOs and is unlikely to exacerbate poverty and threaten development gains achieved to date. The researchers wrote.

“The country’s economic situation, human development indicators and progress towards meeting the SDGs indicate the country needs all the help it can get,” said McDonald Lewanika, head of the Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, told IPS.

“Concerns around NGOs materially supporting political parties are unfounded in this environment where there has been flight and donor fatigue and several NGOs have lost funding from major donors because of suspicions of the same. Lewanika says it’s not beneficial for NGOs.

Zimbabwe has made numerous appeals for assistance in the past, so it is unclear what changed when the government declared NGOs no longer welcome.

“No country can claim that they don’t need an NGO, when we know that NGOs, especially in Zimbabwe, are at the forefront of providing services to the community. For example, women and reproductive rights and HIV AIDS organizations have provided much-needed services to the community,” said Nantulya.

Report of the United Nations Office IPS


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© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service





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