Zimbabwe’s parliament has approved a contentious bill that would punish citizens for “unpatriotic acts” by imposing heavy fines or even the death penalty.
Critics have referred to it as a “dark day for democracy.”
The Criminal Law Act’s so-called patriot clause targets those who endanger Zimbabwe’s “national interest.”
It includes any citizen who meets with a foreign country’s representative in order to encourage sanctions against Zimbabwe or overthrow the government.
Many senior government officials and state-owned enterprises are sanctioned by the West for alleged human rights violations.
They’ve long blamed the opposition for this, and they’d like to put an end to meetings between opposition members and foreign officials.
Parliament approved the law by a vote of 99 to 17, making it one of the most contentious of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency.
It will now be sent to the Senate for consideration before being signed into law.
Critics argue that the legislation is unconstitutional because it violates freedom of association and free speech.
According to an opposition official, the best way to end sanctions is to protect human rights rather than criminalize criticism.
The contentious amendments were enacted as part of a series of changes to the Criminal Law Act.
Minimum rape sentences were also approved by lawmakers.
