Zimbabwe civil rights advocates blasted the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that would, among other things, curtail the right of people to travel within the country and abroad. The government says the limit on travel is in public interest.
President Robert Mugabe’s government says the constitutional amendment to restrict peoples’ movements is a measure needed to combat international terrorism and protect the country’s national interests.
But to human rights organizations, which have submitted their comments on the proposals, the measure violates a basic human right guaranteed in the 1980 constitution. They say there is no definition of “national interest” in the government proposal, and that there are many effective antiterrorism laws already in place.
In addition to restricting travel, the government’s proposed constitutional amendments also include changes that would affect property rights and, in effect, create a second legislature made up of appointed, not elected members.
More: voanews.com
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In May, with little or no warning, the government of Zimbabwe embarked on an operation to "clean up" its cities. "Operation Murambatsvina," or Operation Restore Order, started in the capital Harare, and rapidly evolved into a nationwide demolition and eviction campaign carried out by the police and the army.
Popularly known as "Operation Tsunami" because of its speed and ferocity, it resulted in the destruction of homes, business premises and vending sites in several parts of the country. A July report by the UN Special Envoy on Human Settlements, Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, estimates that some 700,000 people in cities across
Meikles Africa Limited in Zimbabwe said on Monday the tourism industry in the country was witnessing a revival, though slowly, after years of a slump.
The group's finance and administration executive director, Bryan Thorn, said this was particularly the case in Victoria Falls, the nation's premier resort.
He said aggressive marketing, a thaw in negative publicity about the country in key tourist source markets and improved transport had resulted in a slow revival of the tourism industry.
"We are seeing encouraging signs in Victoria Falls on our side, with occupancy rates improving," he said.
"The introduction of the MA60 planes
American group encourages travel to Cuba for meeting
A prominent Cuban exile group is encouraging its directors to travel to Cuba to attend a meeting of dissidents and journalists in Havana in May.
The Cuban American National Foundation said it received an invitation from Cuban dissidents and intends to find a way to send representatives to the meeting without violating U.S. travel restrictions to the communist island.
It is the first time the exile group has encouraged its directors to go to Cuba. In the past, directors who wanted to travel to Cuba had to resign from the foundation on principle and for
South Africa, Zimbabwe strengthen defense, intelligence ties
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South Africa and Zimbabwe signed an agreement to strengthen defense and intelligence ties at a ceremony Thursday emphasizing the solidarity between the two neighbors in the face of growing international condemnation of Zimbabwe.
South African Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils praised Zimbabwe's "advances and successes" in the 25 years since its independence from Britain. He said the two countries shared a "common world view" and would "march forward shoulder to shoulder."
The comments contrasted with the criticism heaped on Zimbabwe by most Western governments, which accuse Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe of
The Zimbabwean government has dug in its heels over proposed constitutional amendments and challenged its critics to take their concerns to parliament.
Human rights activists and lawyers have slammed the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No.17 Bill of 2005, labelling it the latest in a long line of alterations to the constitution.
Zimbabwe's fundamental law has been amended 16 times by the ruling ZANU-PF government, the most notable being the abolition of the Prime Minister's position, which led to the creation of an Executive Presidency in 1987.
Under the draft Bill the government seeks the power to restrict freedom
