Government bans civic group

The Zambian government has defended its decision to ban an NGO because its activities pose "a danger to state security". The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) was informed of the government's decision via a short letter from Minister of Home Affairs Ronnie Shikapwasha. In the letter to SACCORD, a copy of which was faxed to IRIN, Shikapwasha says he has "noticed with displeasure that your organisation has engaged itself in activities which are [inimical] and a danger to the state security" and that, in accordance with the Societies Act, "I have decided to de-register your organisation with immediate effect". As a result of this de-registration, Shikapwasha added, "all activities pertaining to your organisation are hence forth suspended". SACCORD director Lee Habafonda told IRIN the NGO was caught by surprise, as it had had no indication that its activities were considered a threat to the country's security. "The letter was delivered 12:30 am on Monday - there was no prior notification that we were involved in things endangering state security. We were taken by surprise," he said. SACCORD has written back to the minister of home affairs "and attached a profile of what we are doing", in a bid to have their status renewed. "We are also exploring the legal options before us and looking at whether we can mobilise public support for our case," Habafonda said. "We do conflict management and democracy work. Our activities in the recent past have focused on campaigning for reform of the Public Order Act - we don't believe you need permission from police to hold a meeting - and we're doing programmes with members of parliament on accountability in the defence and security sector. We've also been engaged in the electoral process as well," Habafonda noted. SACCORD, along with several other civil society groups, has been lobbying for broader participation in the ongoing constitutional review process. The groups have asked government to establish a constituent assembly, "composed of elected members from different sectors of society, such as NGOs and trade unions", that would participate in the process before a new draft constitution was passed by parliament. However, Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba told IRIN that the de-registration of SACCORD had nothing to do with its lobbying for broader participation in the constitutional review process. "SACCORD has been de-registered by the minister purely for security reasons. I heard on BBC this morning that somebody was suggesting it's because of [NGO activities regarding] the constitution - the de-registration has got nothing to do with the constitution. Mr Habafonda and other organisations have been commenting on the constitution and we feel that is okay; that is welcome. But there are certain things which they started doing, which are not in keeping with our security concerns ... so it's something to do with security of the country and not the constitution," Mumba said. He pointed out that the government "has not moved forward to shut up people making comments about the constitution". Earlier this month President Levy Mwanawasa announced that the authorities were closely monitoring the activities of NGOs and some churches. He said the government would consider introducing laws stipulating the parameters within which NGOs could operate, and NGOs and members of the clergy should refrain from engaging in politics.