The EU stopped funding Zimbabwe's governance programs for next year after President Mnangagwa approved a law many say threatens civil groups. The government officially published the Private Voluntary Organizations Amendment Act last Friday, making major changes to how non-profits operate.
The new rules let authorities monitor civic groups more closely. Officials can check who runs these organizations, where they receive money from, and their connections. The law creates stricter definitions for who counts as running these groups. People breaking these rules might face jail time.
Government officials can shut down organizations, take their assets, or completely dissolve groups that break these new rules. A special board with government representatives will enforce everything. Human rights advocates, including the UN, have criticized the law, saying it might silence critics. Government leaders claim they need these changes to fight terrorism funding.
EU Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann wrote online that passing this law breaks Zimbabwe's promises made during debt talks. Zimbabwe owes over $21 billion to various lenders. The EU said it might reconsider its position if Zimbabwe showed a real commitment to improving governance.
The new rules let authorities monitor civic groups more closely. Officials can check who runs these organizations, where they receive money from, and their connections. The law creates stricter definitions for who counts as running these groups. People breaking these rules might face jail time.
Government officials can shut down organizations, take their assets, or completely dissolve groups that break these new rules. A special board with government representatives will enforce everything. Human rights advocates, including the UN, have criticized the law, saying it might silence critics. Government leaders claim they need these changes to fight terrorism funding.
EU Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann wrote online that passing this law breaks Zimbabwe's promises made during debt talks. Zimbabwe owes over $21 billion to various lenders. The EU said it might reconsider its position if Zimbabwe showed a real commitment to improving governance.
