Zimbabwe urged to drop restrictive civil society law

UN rights experts have urged Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa not to sign into law new legislation that will severely restrict the activities of civil society groups.

The bill approved by parliament two weeks ago bans charities from engaging in politics, and allows the state to monitor their finances and management.

The government says this will prevent money laundering and terrorism, but the experts say the restrictions will have a chilling effect on organisations particularly on dissenting voices.

Zimbabwean rights groups and opposition parties say the government is clamping down ahead of a general election later this year.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: IOL