(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release: AFRICAN COUNTRIES BLATANTLY VIOLATE RIGHTS TO ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY An ARTICLE 19 report launched today (1) demonstrates that outright abuse of the rights to freedom of association and assembly is rife throughout Africa. Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19, said: “The right to […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:
AFRICAN COUNTRIES BLATANTLY VIOLATE RIGHTS TO ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY
An ARTICLE 19 report launched today (1) demonstrates that outright abuse of the rights to freedom of association and assembly is rife throughout Africa.
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19, said: “The right to freedom of association and assembly is enshrined in the constitutions of most African states, yet official abuse of these rights continues unabated. Freedom of association and assembly is absolutely fundamental to any society. Without the full exercise of these rights, freedom of expression itself cannot be guaranteed. This is especially so in Africa, where access to the means of communication – newspapers, radio, TV and the Internet – remains denied to great swathes of the population.”
Recent examples of such abuse include:
– Overt violation by the Zimbabwean government of its own constitution and international law in its refusal to release funds to opposition parties. The Zimbabwean courts recently ruled that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was entitled to $30 million from party political funds, but the government has not released the funds and seems unlikely to do so.
– In Zambia last month, the Registrar of Societies refused to register the Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Association, leaving it unable to raise money.
This report examines issues of freedom of association and assembly in five countries: Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Note to Editors:
1. Freedom of Association and Assembly: Unions, NGOs and Political Freedom in sub-Saharan Africa, ARTICLE 19, March 2001.
The report is available on the ARTICLE 19 website: www.article19.org/docimages/986.htm
