NGOs brief MPs on concerns over bill

Zimbabwe's National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday of its concern that a proposed law would restrict the activities of NGOs. NANGO's appearance at the portfolio committee hearings was preceded by a "walk of solidarity" by some of its members. The organisation, which represents 300 NGOs, has warned that the proposed "NGO Bill" would impact on basic freedoms. Bob Machabaiwa, a NANGO advocacy officer, told IRIN the organisation was "able to make a written submission as well as oral presentations" at the portfolio committee hearing. He added, "the main thing is the bill should not be passed into law in its current state." The controversial NGO bill, expected to be tabled in October, seeks to register and vet NGOs, while outlawing foreign-funded organisations involved in governance and human rights issues. Rights groups have argued that, if passed, the law would further restrict civil liberties, but the authorities have countered that the draft bill is meant to regulate the operations of NGOs for national security reasons. Machabaiwa said NANGO wanted changes to issues such as the banning of "foreign funding for human rights work, the issues of registration and governance of NGOs ... which are all constraints [on NGOs]."