Emmerson Mnangagwa

Paris-Geneva, March 2, 2023 – At the beginning of February, the Zimbabwean Parliament passed the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment (...)

The Observatory urges the President of Zimbabwe to reject to sign the PVO Amendment Bill into law as it would impose undue restrictions on civic space in the country. In the same month, a meeting of the Institute for Young Women Development (IYWD) was likewise disrupted by the police and all participants were arrested. The Observatory expresses its concern over the dire impact this amendment will have on civic space and freedom of association in the country if enacted. The international community also voiced criticism of the bill, with UN human rights experts recently [expressing their concerns](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/02/un-experts-urge-president-zimbabwe-reject-bill-restricting-civic-space) over the imminent adoption of the text, stating that “the restrictions contained therein [the bill] will have a chilling effect on civil society organisations – particularly dissenting voices. [UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/02/un-experts-urge-president-zimbabwe-reject-bill-restricting-civic-space) have warned that the Bill violates fundamental rights and gives the government unjustifiable control over civil society groups. Should it be adopted, the PVO Bill would provide the Office of the Registrar of PVOs, which is under the control of the executive branch, with wide and discretionary powers to interfere in civil society organisations’ governance and activities.