From Zimbabwe to Georgia: A Global Trend of Repressive Legislation

 

A wave of repressive legislation restricting NGOs and media freedoms around the world is slowly crippling in sending shivers down the spine of those who believe in an egalitarian society. Is dictatorship winning?  From Georgia's recent "foreign agents" law to the Private Voluntary Bill in Zimbabwe, repressive regimes are employing these laws to silence criticism and tighten their grip on power.

By Llyoyd Takawira  (ZW)

For several weeks, tens of thousands of Georgians have been protesting the “foreign agent’s bill”, which many believe will lead to crackdowns on civil society and the media and prevent the country from joining the European Union

Echoes of Authoritarianism: The Case of Zimbabwe

It must be noted that, just like Georgia, Zimbabwe is coming up with a PVO Amendment Bill. The bill according to critics mirrors exactly Georgia's controversial law. Just like the Foreign Agents law in Georgia which requires NGOs and media outlets receiving foreign funding to register as "foreign agents," a label reminiscent of the Cold War era, the PVO bill in Zimbabwe seeks to have the government over-meddling in the registration and management of non-governmental organizations.

 Pro-democracy human rights in Zimbabwe and Georgia have raised serious concerns about the repressive laws, questioning the motive behind such egregious laws. They argue that while the government reserves the right to monitor non-state actors, its mandate must not, therefore, restrict the operations of complementary actors.

 

Rights groups and lawyers have warned that the bill gives disproportionate and discretionary powers to the newly established Office of the Registrar of PVOs. The Registrar’s powers include the ability to consider, grant, or reject the registration of PVOs, with little to no judicial recourse against such decisions. But Zanu PF believes the bill would stop PVOs from meddling in the country’s political affairs and limit them to their mandate.

 

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), says it fears the law will stifle civil society's ability to hold the government accountable. True to the fears of the ZLHR, a vibrant civil society is essential for any democracy. It must be noted that independent media is a cornerstone of a free society. The PVO Bill threatens media outlets that rely on foreign funding, potentially hindering investigative journalism and diverse viewpoints.

Furthermore, it must be noted that the bill evokes memories of the repressive Smith regime in Zimbabwe's past. Its monthly assessment, Accountability Lab Zimbabwe Director, Dr McDonald Lewanika argues that a historical analysis of the PVO Bill shows how previous iterations of the PVO Act were used to silence dissent. "If you don't know the motivation, you won't know the implications." Lewanika highlighted how this Act has been influenced by major political events, such as the Economic Structural Adjustment Program, parliamentary elections in 2000, presidential elections in 2002, the unpopular constitutional referendum, and the devastating drought in Zimbabwe.

 

Why the heavy hand of violence in the ongoing public hearings:

Over the past few days, there has been an orgy of violence with suspected ruling Zanu PF party members, resorting to violence to disrupt public hearings on the PVO Bill. Incidents in Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Gweru, Harare, and, Epworth paint a harrowing picture of intimidation and suppression of public participation.  Suspected Zanu PF supporters have been on a rampage disrupting public hearings on the highly divisive Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill.

 

Suspected, Zanu PF hostile group members have been taking turns to voice their support for the government-sponsored draft legislation, viewed by the opposition and civil society as an attempt by the Zanu PF-led authority to meddle in the affairs of NGOs that have kept the state under scrutiny in terms of rights violations and poll fraud, among other violations.

 

“Vasingade ngavabude muZimbabwe. Bill redu torida muZimbabwe! (Dissenters should leave the country. We want our Bill),”.  Zanu PF youths would chant opposing contributions by those with differing  views.

Even esteemed Members of the joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and Thematic Committee on Gender Development who are conducting the hearings have not been spared from the violence.

 

So dire is the situation that even the media has come under attack from the ruling party in Zimbabwe. According to Newsday Zimbabwe, the ruling Zanu PF youth leader Mr Taurai Kandishaya. Threatened to “deal with” NewsDay after a journalist had called him asking about his possible links to rowdy crowds that have been disrupting countrywide Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) Amendment Bill hearings. “Write whatever you want, but I will come and deal with you, personally,” he retorted.” I am not going to comment on that.

“Even if you say I was also seen in Botswana disrupting the meetings that is it. You only saw me at Ambassador.”

 

A Global Phenomenon:

Zimbabwe and Georgia are not alone. Many countries are witnessing a rise in legislation aimed at curbing dissent: Many wonder where this is coming from.

#Russia's playbook: The Georgian law is explicitly modeled after a similar law in Russia, highlighting a concerning trend of replicating authoritarian tactics.

Motivations behind the Repression:

The motivations for these repressive bills are complex, but often include:

•  Clinging to Power: Authoritarian regimes may see NGOs and independent media as threats to their control. By restricting their activities, they hope to consolidate power.
•  Stifling Criticism: A free press and vocal civil society can expose corruption and human rights abuses. These laws aim to silence those critical voices.
•  Demonizing Foreign Influence: By labeling NGOs and media as "foreign agents," these regimes attempt to discredit them and deflect blame for the country's problems.

The Fight for Democracy: A Global Call to Action

It is worthwhile noting and refreshing that in the face of trial, the world is not silent. The global community has been standing and must stand together against this erosion of democratic values.

In an impassionate plea, NED President and CEO Damon Wilson, called out on the Georgian government to rescind the foreign lobbying act, On May 14, Georgia’s Parliament passed a controversial law that would brand NGOs and media organizations receiving foreign funding as “foreign agents.”

 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply troubled by the Georgian parliament’s vote on Tuesday to adopt the controversial Russian-style “foreign agents” law that could target foreign-funded media operating in the country.

 

“The passage of ‘foreign agent’ legislation by the ruling Georgian Dream party, despite significant public opposition, is set to stifle media freedom in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections in October,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.

 

In an article in the Journal for Democracy,  Ghia Nodia branded the new Georgian law as “Russia’s law” for its similarities to Putin’s own version.

Ghia Nodia writing in the  Journal of Democracy argued that the country’s only hope for safeguarding its democratic freedoms.

•   International Pressure: Democratic nations can pressure Zimbabwe and other repressive regimes to withdraw these bills and uphold their international human rights commitments.

•   Supporting Civil Society: Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) can provide critical support to NGOs and independent media in these countries.

•    Raising Awareness: Shining a light on these repressive tactics through media coverage and advocacy campaigns can help de-legitimize them.

The world cannot afford to be silent in the face of these assaults on democracy. By standing together in support of civil society and press freedom, we can send a powerful message that the flame of liberty will not be extinguished.