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United Nations Warn Mnangagwa Against Signing The PVO Bill Into Law

1 year agoWed, 15 Feb 2023 08:31:52 GMT
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United Nations Warn Mnangagwa Against Signing The PVO Bill Into Law

United Nations (UN) experts have warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against signing the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Bill into law saying it will infringe on the fundamentals of human rights.

The Bill amends the PVO Act and the government says it will curb money laundering and PVOs’ participation in politics. It proposes harsh penalties, including jail time of up to one year for perceived offences.

According to the experts, the legislation would close an already shrinking civic space, which will likely be detrimental to the nation’s engagement and re-engagement efforts.

The United Nations experts speak after Mnangagwa stated in October last year that he is ready to sign the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill once the Parliament is done.

The PVO Amendment Bill gives the newly created Office of the Registrar of PVOs huge and unrestricted powers without granting it any independence from the executive branch, which worries the United Nations.

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The legislation now awaits Mnangagwa’s signature for it to become law after the senate last week passed it.

Some of the concerns raised by the UN experts include the power of the government to cancel operational licenses of PVOs already operating, NewZimbabwe reported. Said the international body in a statement:

The bill’s requirements would also immediately render existing organisations, operating lawfully as trusts and associations, illegal.

The Office of the Registrar will also have extensive powers to intervene in and monitor the activities of PVOs.

UN experts raised additional concerns about the prohibition of any “political affiliation” and unjustified restrictions on PVOs’ ability to obtain funding, including foreign funds.

UN experts echoed remarks by a legal think tank, Veritas, that the vagueness or non-definition of many provisions in the bill also raises concerns that the proposed law will be misapplied.

They warned that actions considered to be in breach of certain provisions in the Bill could lead to criminal prosecution, with penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment.

Authorities state that the Bill aims, among other objectives, to counter money laundering and terrorism in Zimbabwe.

UN experts say by enacting this legislation, authorities would effectively be closing an already shrinking civic space. They are urging president Mnangagwa to turn down the bill. They said:

It is not too late for the President to change course.

We stand ready to assist the Government to revise the Amendment Bill to ensure compliance with international human rights norms and standards.

They said Mnangagwa should consider calls by the Civil Society Organisations who have strongly opposed its statutes.

Human rights defenders, some politicians and many CSOs warned of impending attacks on democracy advocates owing to the PVO bill.

Early last year, prominent economist Prosper Chitambara warned that the proposed PVO Amendment Bill will hit the economy hard saying NGOs are filling the gaps in public programmes and services that States have failed to perform or provide owing to limited fiscal space.

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13 Comments

Artist · 1 year ago
Freedom4ED
Jah 🇿🇼 Tsvarie-07 · 1 year ago
Nyika inovakiwa nevene vayo Iwo ma NGOs kana vakaita ma political parties zvinoita kuti President vaite izvozvo coz the best way to defend is to attack, isu ma referee toti if it brings peace among citizens then play on ED sign it...
Everseeingone · 1 year ago
Right on point CDE!
Everseeing one · 1 year ago
One wonders who and what makes then the experts on our local view of things????, we have never gone to advise them on any of their bills as they a sovereign states a make their own rules etc , let then concentrate on their own pressing issues then worry about our Bill ..... Mr President do the honor sign the bill .
Midlands Drilling & Boreholes · 1 year ago
"United Nations Experts" the ZimbabweanParliament has spoken, let them use their expertise elsewhere!!!
Jeremiah Mafirakureva · 1 year ago
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says the country is set to lose about US$1 billion annually if the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Bill is passed into law. ever heard of the dude who cut his nose to spite his face?
Midlands Drilling & Boreholes · 1 year ago
(PVO) isn't barring anyone from operating, there should be rules and guidelines. Munonyatsonzwisisa zvinhu izvi here?
Tapuwanashe Sande · 1 year ago
Haaaaaaa zvanyanya izvi murumbotembei
kingluve · 1 year ago
Ed will sign this bill bcz he is authoritarian, but if Chamisa wins then democracy will be brought back n the bill reversed
Zuze · 1 year ago
Ndiye muridzi wemutemo iwoyo, saka handione achirega kuupinza
Lovejoy Chinya · 1 year ago
ndipo paunonzwa maSupporter ake achitotsigira zvinhu zvakadhakwa kudai
Bhoso s · 1 year ago
yes cz ma supporter ezanu aana kukwana midhi,dhi yajaira nhamo
Patriot · 1 year ago
zvingani ko zvinotaurwa ne UN zvakamboteedzerwa pasi pe zuva. Ana Russia vakangopinda mu Ukraine wani, the USA mu Iraque, EU ne USA yakangoti nama ma sanctions wani despite UN being silent on the matter. cde ED sainai bill Iro kwete kuvhundutsirwa ne zizi
· 1 year ago
ED wacho izizi diki chere?
Zuze · 1 year ago
Vamwe vane masimba. Chindoenda chenyu ichi.... tichakunzwai mochema. Russia iri kuchema zvishoma here? Itai tione
Trojan horses · 1 year ago
the Trojan horses have been intercepted b4 causing damage and further mayhem sign it ED
pk · 1 year ago
paZidera makaiteyi...... zvino president vachaisa signature yavo.
famba ED · 1 year ago
ED sign the bill we are sick and tired of these western sponsored agents of the regime change agenda masquerading as NGOs.They must go their days are numbered
sad emoji1

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