(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 24 January 2002 ARTICLE 19 press release: 24 January 2002 ARTICLE 19 CONDEMNS AMENDMENTS TO ZIMBABWE INFORMATION BILL AS COSMETIC ARTICLE 19 today released a detailed analysis of the amendments to the Zimbabwean Access to Information and Privacy Bill (1) showing that all our previous concerns remain and […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 24 January 2002 ARTICLE 19 press release:
24 January 2002
ARTICLE 19 CONDEMNS AMENDMENTS TO ZIMBABWE INFORMATION BILL AS COSMETIC
ARTICLE 19 today released a detailed analysis of the amendments to the Zimbabwean Access to Information and Privacy Bill (1) showing that all our previous concerns remain and that the Bill still massively restricts freedom of expression. This analysis updates previous reports on the Bill by ARTICLE 19 issued on 11 January and 21 January.
ARTICLE 19 acknowledges some positive amendments to the Bill, tabled in Parliament on 22 January 2002, but condemns them as falling far short of the meaningful change required.
Despite the amendments, journalists are still required to obtain licenses and face a possible 2 years’ imprisonment for spreading ‘false news’. Extensive powers over the media and journalists continue to be wielded by the Commission, a body firmly under government control. Despite its title, the Bill does little to guarantee the public’s right to access information held by public authorities. The ARTICLE 19 analysis addresses each of these concerns and illustrates how the Bill systematically undermines the right to freedom of expression.
These amendments were a response to growing local and international pressure, and ARTICLE 19 calls upon the international community to continue to exert pressure on the Zimbabwean government, lending their voice to the many opposition voices originating from inside the country, in the hope of bringing about more fundamental reforms to the Bill.
Toby Mendel, Head of the ARTICLE 19 Law Programme says:
“The Zimbabwean government is under pressure both as a result of the upcoming elections and the growing international condemnation of its undemocratic practices. There is a real opportunity for change now, but concerted effort is needed.”
NOTES
1. Copies of the analysis are available on the ARTICLE 19 website, at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1262.doc. The previous analyses are at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1255.htm and at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1260.doc.
