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Amnesty slams Zimbabwe again
14/01/2004 21:30 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Zimbabwean authorities to uphold the rule of law and allow Zimbabweans to freely express themselves.
In a statement the organisation said the call followed Zimbabwe police's continued ignoring of a High Court order to vacate the premises of independent newspaper, The Daily News.
"The failure of the police to uphold court orders undermines the legitimacy and authority of the courts and the rule of law in Zimbabwe," it said.
The organisation said The Daily News had been closed since September 2003 when the Supreme Court ruled the newspaper was operating illegally as it had not registered with the state-controlled Media Information Commission.
This was a requirement of the 2002 Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
Police moved into the Daily News offices on December 19, 2003, just hours after an Administrative Court ruled the newspaper should be allowed to resume publication.
The High Court ordered police to leave the premises on January 9.
"Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed serious concern about the use of national legislation to suppress freedom of expression and silence dissent in Zimbabwe.
"Many of the provisions of newly enacted legislation such as the AIPPA directly contravene Zimbabwe's national Constitution and international human rights standards.
"In recent months the Zimbabwe authorities have stepped up attacks against independent media outlets and journalists," the organisation said.
- SAPA
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