PVO bill in its current form if signed into law is likely to severely restrict civil space and the right to freedom of association: UN experts
United Nations experts have urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa not to sign into law the controversial Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill, warning the legislation in its current form “severely restricts civil space and the right to freedom of association in the country.”
The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill has been roundly condemned by opposition parties and civic groups. The PVO Bill is viewed as a mechanism to stifle the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Last week the Senate approved the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) bill and now the bill awaits the presidential assent before it becomes law.
In a statement on Tuesday, the UN experts stated that “It’s 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 expressed deep concern that the oversight regime in the PVO bill provides for disproportionate and discretionary powers to the newly-established Office of the Registrar of PVOs, without independence from the executive branch.
Source-Kukurigo
