Government puts restrictions on groups it says advocate ‘regime change’
Zimbabwe announced new controls to clap down on charities and other humanitarian organizations. Among the groups being clamped down are democracy and human rights groups. The reason being that the government accuses them of protesting against them.
Under a new code, voluntary organizations need a state license, which can be denied, thus barring them from operating. All agencies besides the United Nations are affected.
The Zimbabwe government thinks that the charities are trying to take political advocacy and possibly even overthrow the government. They think that with food aid the charities are trying to promote a "regime change agenda". The President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe frequently accuses Britain, The EU and the United States of funding charities to work alongside the Western-sponsored campaign to remove him form power.
Western governments have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe because of Mugabe's human rights record. This has caused economic turmoil since violent land seizures from thousands of white-owned from in 2000.
The new code requires foreign organization setting up in Zimbabwe to sign a memorandum of understanding with government departments. The New law will bring many charity groups under state control. Many people feel as if it will be mismanaged and proper aid will not get out to the people.
the new government crack downs are not just on charity. All independent newspapers in the country have been shut down and scores of independent journalists have been arrested, intimidated, and assaulted. Many foreign journalists are being denied visas to travel to Zimbabwe.
