Zim rights groups to fight eavesdrop law

HARARE – Zimbabwean rights groups are preparing to fight a new bill that would allow state agents to eavesdrop on private conversations and monitor faxes and e-mails.

The Interception of Communications Bill is the latest in a series of laws critics say are meant to crush government opponents and emasculate the country’s once vibrant independent press. “If it is passed, it will be yet another repressive law to further restrict the ability in Zimbabwe to communicate with each other to receive and impart information,” said Irene Petras, spokeswoman for Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.”We will oppose this bill either by litigation or by presenting our submissions to the parliamentary committee on transport and communication,” Petras told AFP on Wednesday.The bill was published on May 27 in the government gazette, the last stop for draft laws before reaching parliament, where President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) enjoys a majority.It would establish a “communication centre to intercept and monitor certain communications in the course of their transmission, through a telecommunication, postal or any other related service system.”The minister of transport and communications would also be granted authority under the new legislation to issue an interception warrant to state agents “where there are reasonable grounds for the minister to believe, among other things, that a serious offence has been, is being or will probably be committed or that there is a threat to safety or national security”.- Nampa-AFP”If it is passed, it will be yet another repressive law to further restrict the ability in Zimbabwe to communicate with each other to receive and impart information,” said Irene Petras, spokeswoman for Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.”We will oppose this bill either by litigation or by presenting our submissions to the parliamentary committee on transport and communication,” Petras told AFP on Wednesday.The bill was published on May 27 in the government gazette, the last stop for draft laws before reaching parliament, where President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) enjoys a majority.It would establish a “communication centre to intercept and monitor certain communications in the course of their transmission, through a telecommunication, postal or any other related service system.”The minister of transport and communications would also be granted authority under the new legislation to issue an interception warrant to state agents “where there are reasonable grounds for the minister to believe, among other things, that a serious offence has been, is being or will probably be committed or that there is a threat to safety or national security”.- Nampa-AFP