ZIMBABWE: OPPOSITION LEADER CONDEMNS CONTROVERSIAL SECURITY BILL PASSED AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Record ID: 646885

  • Title: ZIMBABWE: OPPOSITION LEADER CONDEMNS CONTROVERSIAL SECURITY BILL PASSED AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
  • Date: 11th January 2002
  • Summary: HARARE, ZIMBABWE (JANUARY 11, 2002) (REUTERS- ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/CU: NEWSPAPER HEADLINES ON GOVERNMENT'S CONTROVERSIAL BILL (3 SHOTS) 0.17 2. GV/CU: LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION MORGAN TSVANGIRAI WALKING INTO ROOM/ PLAQUE ON WALL (2 SHOTS) 0.35 3. MV/CU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) OPPOSITION LEADER MORGAN TSVANGIRAI SAYING: "The government has imposed what I would call - some people would try to say it is repressive legislation. I would say it is nearer the declaration of state of emergency. They are emergency laws that are taking away the rights of Zimbabweans to express themselves - to have a free election and to go about their business without interference and harassment from the State. So the reaction from the people has been utter disgust at this obnoxious legislation. It's worse than Smith's legislation but people will prevail ultimately"/CUTAWAY - STATUE OF PAINTED HANDS/ (SOUNDBITE) (English) MORGAN TSVANGIRAI SPEAKING ABOUT BILL, SAYING: "I know they are disillusioned. I know Zimbabweans are disturbed by the recent developments but let me say that I, Morgan Tsvangirai, I am proceeding to contest the elections and because of these developments I can confirm that it is an MDC victory. People need to come out in their thousands to vote in an election and express their opinion. They should not be detracted by strategies that are intended to produce fear in the people - that it is within their power and their hands." (3 SHOTS) 2.00 4. GV: VARIOUS STREET SCENES IN HARARE 2.44 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th January 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HARARE, ZIMBABWE
  • Country: Zimbabwe
  • Reuters ID: LVAF129XT8Y0W0U9QGZXPCXDG0XW
  • Story Text: Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has
    joined the international community in condemning draconian laws
    aimed at tightening President Robert Mugabe's iron grip on power
    ahead of a crucial presidential election in March.



    Zimbabwe's parliament, passed two laws on Thursday
    (January 10). One bans independent monitors at the poll and
    denies voting rights to Zimbabweans abroad. The other
    criminalises criticism of President Robert Mugabe and gives
    sweeping new security powers to the government.

    Zimbabweans go to the polls on March 9.

    The latest government action has been greeted with
    widespread condemnation.

    Media organisations have vowed to defy the new bill, fearing
    it will severely restrict press freedoms ahead of the March
    elections.

    Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party is expected to put the
    proposed legislation to the vote in parliament, where it has a
    voting majority, on Tuesday.

    The bill will ban foreign journalists from operating during
    the elections at which 77-year-old Mugabe faces the biggest
    challenge to his power since leading the country to independence
    from Britain in 1980.

    Speaking to Reuters on Friday (January 11) leader of the
    opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai
    said the legislation was tantamount to the creation of a state
    of emergency which deprived Zimbabweans of the right to go about
    their business without interference and harassment by the state.

    He described the bill as "obnoxious" and one which was
    viewed with "utter disgust" by ordinary Zimbabweans.

    Tsvangirai vowed to stand in the March elections.

    Zimbabweans, he said, needed to come out in their thousands to
    voice their opinions without being distracted by strategies
    intended to induce fear in them.

    Government officials have accused journalists of fanning a
    deliberate campaign of misinformation and propaganda in their
    coverage of the country's political and economic crisis.

    Several journalists have been expelled from the country.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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