US slams Zimbabwe anti-NGO law

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A law approved by Zimbabwe's parliament curtailing non-governmental organizations will quash political debate, the United States said.

"This bill is an assault on civil society and an attempt to curtail political discussion in Zimbabwe," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said.

"It is yet another sign that the government of Zimbabwe may not be serious about holding free and fair parliamentary elections in March 2005, and we call upon President (Robert) Mugabe not to sign this bill."

The law forces all non-governmental agencies to register with a state-appointed commission and makes it illegal for them to receive foreign funding.

"The bill would prohibit domestic groups working on human rights and governance issues from receiving foreign funding from any source, including Zimbabweans living overseas," Ereli said.

"It would set up a mechanism for government oversight of nongovernmental organizations that would be highly intrusive and subject to political manipulation," he said.