Zimbabwean CSOs Concerned About Enactment of Repressive
Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act
10 STEPS BACKWARDS
16 April 2025
We,
the
undersigned
Zimbabwe,
express
Civil
great
Society
Organisations
reservation
on
the
(CSOs)
enactment
of
in
the
The enactment of this law, and the removal of the clause on
need
to
comply
Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, a draconian
Recommendations
law
Zimbabwe
that
threatens
legitimate
to
activities,
shut
down
and
civic
undermine
space,
criminalise
Zimbabwe’s
CSOs
constitutional
was
with
the
(FATF)
removed
in
Financial
the
from
Action
preamble,
the
FATF
Task
Force
especially
grey
list
in
after
2022,
demonstrates a wilful disregard of global guidance. FATF and UN
democracy.
Special
This repressive legislation represents an unprecedented assault on
compliance
civic space, the rule of law, and the fundamental freedoms enshrined
should not be used as a justification for closing civic space by
in
any country.
our
Constitution
and
international
human
rights
instruments
to
which Zimbabwe is a party.
Since
the
tirelessly
Bill
was
opposed
first
in
CSOs
legitimacy
enactment
of
of
the
the
Act,
Standards
legislative
in
and
process
particular
the
the
need
for
Recommendations
that
public
also
led
to
consultations
mandated under sections 139 and 141 of the Constitution were
various
fundamentally flawed. Public consultations in Harare, Chinhoyi,
commitments were made to improve the text of the Bill. At the time
Gweru, and Masvingo were marred by violence and intimidation,
of enactment, CSOs engaged the Attorney General’s Office with
forcing
concerns
citizen’s
as
a
arms
precursor
to
of
a
the
extensive
the
FATF
that
and
all
through
2021,
the
recommended
genuine
with
progression
November
with
have
and
engagement
its
The
gazetted
Procedures
government
meeting
with
President
Emmerson
legislators
voices.
to
At
abandon
the
same
proceedings
time,
the
and
silencing
Portfolio
the
Committee
Mnangagwa. However, the engagement was not in good faith as the
recommendations, such as extending the transitional period to
Bill was gazetted on 11 April 2025 prior to the promised engagement
nine months, were ignored. Further, inconsistencies marred the
with the Executive. Preceding this, CSOs had made oral and written
legislative process, with amendments from the Committee stage
submissions
omitted in the version that was passed by the Senate on 17
to
Committee
on
the
Parliamentary
Public
Service,
Legal
Labour
Committee,
and
Social
Portfolio
Welfare,
the
October 2024.
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and participated
Given these flaws, the urgency to enact the law demonstrates
in
suspicion by the state on the activities of CSOs. Contrary to this
public
hearings
Constitution.
agenda
The
item
convened
issue
in
the
of
by
civic
parliament,
space
Zimbabwe’s
was
Arrears
as
required
tabled
as
Clearance
a
by
the
critical
and
Debt
suspicion,
national
CSOs
in
development
Zimbabwe
and
have
human
historically
rights,
from
the
supported
liberation
Resolution Process, and submitted a formal position paper to the
struggle to post-independence reconstruction.
Ministry of Finance on 10 March 2023.
Over the past 3 decades, CSOs have delivered humanitarian
A significant milestone in CSOs advocacy was the meeting with
assistance and emergency relief, supported health, education,
President
and
Mnangagwa
temporarily
withheld
on
17
assent
March
to
the
2023,
Bill,
a
following
hopeful
which
indication
he
of
social
protection
initiatives,
empowered
marginalised
communities, including persons with disabilities, women, and the
constructive engagement. At every stage, CSOs have advocated for
youths,
regulatory
civic
protection of fundamental freedoms. Rather than recognising the
space, and ensure continued contribution to national development
role of CSOs as genuine development partners, this law seeks to
goals. However, the enactment of the PVO Amendment Act is a
stifle CSO operations and criminalise genuine contributions.
betrayal of dialogue and citizen involvement in governance.
Given these concerns, CSOs urgently call upon-
CSOs
The Government of Zimbabwe to:
reforms
recall
the
that
urgent
respect
letter
the
from
Constitution,
four
UN
preserve
Special
Rapporteurs
and
contributed
to
governance
reforms
and
the
dated 17 December 2021, which warned that the Bill, now law, would
1. Repeal the PVO Amendment Act to safeguard civic space,
“have
constitutionalism and restore public trust.
rights,
grave
consequences
including
freedom
civil
Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
on
Zimbabwe’s
3. Commit to continued dialogue with all stakeholders aimed at
United Nations treaty obligations. Following Zimbabwe’s review by
creating an atmosphere, where CSOs can thrive and contribute
the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the government was
meaningfully to the national development goals.
encouraged not to enact the PVO Amendments in their current state
//ENDS//
not
comply
with
of
political
obligations, particularly under the ICCPR, UDHR, and the African
did
association
and
Rapporteurs dated 27 November 2024 expressing great reservation
amendments
of
of
2. Respect Zimbabwe’s regional and international human rights
PVO
to
exercise
Zimbabwe.” A follow up letter was written by the four UN Special
the
right
the
in
how
the
for
PVOs
as these were not in compliance with its treaty obligations provided
in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
List of Endorsing Organisations
1. Amnesty International - Zimbabwe 2. Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe 3. Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa 4. Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association 5. Bulawayo Progressive Residents' Association 6.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association 7. Chitungwiza Residents Trust 8. Christian Legal Society of Zimbabwe 9. Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition 10. Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust (CODET) 11. Community Podium 12.
Community Youths Development Trust 13. Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development 14. Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust 15. Content Creators Network 16. Divine Foundation Trust 17. Gutu United Residents
and Ratepayers Association. 18. Habakkuk Trust 19. Legal Resources Foundation 20. Media Alliance of Zimbabwe 21. Magamba Network 22. Masvingo Residents Forum 23. Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance 24.
Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development 25. Masvingo Media Center 26. Matabeleland Pulse 27. Nurse Aides Association of Zimbabwe Trust ( NAAZT ) 28. Simukai Residents Trust 29. Southern Africa Human Rights
Defenders Network 30. South Western Region Gender Network 31. Sunshine Community Development Trust 32. United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) 33. Varsity Social Hub 34. Veritas 35. Vimbainashe Trust
36. WELEAD Trust 37. Women's Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence 38. Women and Girls Matters Development Trust 39. Women’s Institute for Leadership Development 40. Women In Governance and Peacebuilding 41. Youth
Forum 42. Zimbabwe Democracy Institute 43. Zimbabwe Council of Churches 44. Zimbabwe Human Rights Association 45. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum 46. Zimbabwe Institute 47. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights 48.
Zimbabwe Peace Project 49. Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust 50. Zimbabwe Trust 51. Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations
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