The move is not only unconstitutional but criminal, as it is done by an illegitimate government that lacks credibility and the popular support of the majority, said a statement from ROHR.
On June 5, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Nicholas Goche, sent out a circular, banning all aid agencies and charities from carrying out field operations in the country with immediate effect.
This followed the suspension of Care International, an international humanitarian aid group, which the military junta accused of using food aid to campaign for the MDC. Save The Children was also forced to suspend operations the same week.
The claims made by the government through its propaganda mouthpieces that NGOs are funding and campaigning for the opposition using food are not only incorrect but malicious, said ROHR. The Mugabe government has thrived on gross human rights violations, state-sponsored anarchy, bad governance, disregard for the rule of law and corruption of the highest order.
Given their fascist mindset, the Zanu (PF) government has proved to be a slow learner of the principles of democracy and tolerance to second opinions. Zanu (PF) does not take kindly to dissenting voices. The closure of NGOs is only a sad reminder of the shutting down of the Daily News, Daily News on Sunday and Tribune in 2003.
Post published in: Opinions