THE Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa-Zimbabwe) has called for the revision of laws that infringe on the right to access to information and freedom of expression.
In a statement, Misa regional chairperson Golden Maunganidze expressed concern that southern African countries continue to enact laws that impinge on free speech.
“It is, therefore, important that southern African countries revisit the problematic laws that infringe on freedom of expression and of the media. In their stead, they should develop laws that adhere to African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights declarations and protocols,” Maunganidze said.
He added that a number of southern African countries had in the recent past improved the media freedom legislative environment, with the enactment of laws that guaranteed access to information among others.
“However, despite this progress, countries are increasingly enacting laws that negatively impact the right to access to information and the right to free expression,” Maunganidze said.
“The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill is at an advanced stage of being enacted in Zimbabwe, while the country is also coming up with amendments to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.”
Maunganidze said denying citizens the right to freedom of expression was an anathema to democracy.
“Freedom of expression’s function as an enabler of all other rights has been explored and is the cornerstone of many international human rights treaties. It is imperative for southern African countries to strongly stress and emphasize the importance of freedom of expression and centre it in the overall discussions of human rights,” he said.
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