Feature: Zim moves to curb freedom of association as election nears

Zimbabwe should reregister hundreds of civil society groups whose registration it has withdrawn, and amend the Private Voluntary Organisations Act to bring it in line with its obligations to protect freedom of association, Human Rights Watch said. 

The government should also cancel an amendment that bars groups from “political” activity under threat of criminal penalties.

On January 22, 2023, Zimbabwean authorities announced that they had revoked the registration of 291 non-governmental and civil society organisations for “non-compliance with the provisions of Private Voluntary Organisations Act”. 

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