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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Statement by Commonwealth Spokesperson on the Closure of ‘The Daily News’ in Zimbabwe

16 September 2003

We are concerned that legislation which the Commonwealth Observer Group to the March 2002 Presidential Election adjudged to be prejudicial to press freedom has been the basis of a Supreme Court decision that has led to the closure of a major independent newspaper in Zimbabwe. We believe that this constitutes a major infringement of freedom of the Press and is not in the spirit of Commonwealth fundamental political values.

The Commonwealth Observer Group found that a number of areas of press legislation, notably the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, were prejudicial to freedom of the press and of speech in Zimbabwe. These concerns were further underlined in the Marlborough House Statement of 19 March 2002. The Secretariat has been making every effort to persuade the Government of Zimbabwe to amend or repeal this legislation.

We note that 'The Daily News' has agreed to comply with the Court Order and to register as required under current legislation. In the meantime, the Commonwealth continues to press for a change in the law.

Joel Kibazo

03/62
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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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Email: info@commonwealth.int