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 of movement in the name of national interest and security. If passed, the proposed legislation will give the state the right to suspend or withdraw the travel documents of citizens.
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told IRIN on Thursday that there was no need for law-abiding citizens to worry about the proposed changes because they were aimed at improving national security.
“All laws are created to protect national interests and this is just one of them. The restrictions on travel and movement are not new, as it is normal procedure for any suspects to be placed under such conditions,” Chinamasa said.
More: alertnet.org
Related Travel Information
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,
Keep America free from religion
I couldnt disagree more with a recent letter writer who claims that America is a Christian nation (Cultural mandate for Christian involvement, The Reporter, July 29).
Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and for good reason. People believe strongly in their chosen religion, many to the point of fanaticism. Lately we have seen the religious fanaticism grow to the point of violence against abortionists, demonstrations against military funerals, Congress acting on one persons life or death, the preaching of politics from the pulpit and, worst of all, wars. Mostly these have been the acts of Christians.
President Bush is urging Americans to stand together in the fight against terrorism and the struggle to bring democracy to Iraq and peace to the Middle East. The appeal comes at a time when war casualties are mounting and opinion polls show slipping support for the president's policy in Iraq.
President Bush says America's security is linked to progress in Iraq and the greater Middle East.
"As more nations replace tyranny with liberty, and replace hatred with hope, America will be more secure," he said. "Our nation has accepted a mission, and we are moving forward with resolve."
The comments came in a
"Only a solid and stable Europe can become a pillar of peace, democracy, social cohesion and sustainable development," said Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in his message to Prof. Sergio Bartole, chairman of the Italian Constitutionalists Association coinciding with the Association's annual meeting. This year's meeting focuses on integration between European and national constitutions, which, according to Ciampi, is a result of "constant dialogue between national and Communitarian lawmakers over the last 50 years. Such dialogue has forged a set of shared values and regulations, and contirbuted to the creation of a common common constitutional heritage throughout the continent.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole today co-sponsored an amendment to the energy bill to prevent drilling off the coast of North Carolina. The amendment would strike a provision in the energy bill that allows for a study of oil and natural gas reserves that could lead to future exploration and drilling in this environmentally sensitive area. The Senate currently is considering the energy bill.
“Drilling off our coast not only would be harmful to the environment, but it also would be detrimental to our tourism industry, which is extremely important to North Carolina’s coastal economy,” said Senator Dole. “I
