The Patriotic Bill, also known as Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill. Is a Zimbabwean law that makes it illegal to criticise the Zimbabwean government or to harm the nation's interests. It was signed into law on 14 July 2023 by president Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangangwa.
In the present form of the bill, injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe is criminalised under section 22A of the Criminal Law Act. Subverting, upsetting, overthrowing or overturning the constitutional government in Zimbabwe. Is the goal of section 22A which makes it illegal for any foreign government or any of its agents to organise or involve meetings or communications between citizens or permanent residents of Zimbabwe.
Political Human Rights activist like Job Sikhala, fears that he would be arrested the moment he returns to Zimbabwe from Geneva Summit for Human Rights, since Zanu Pf is harassing him on official media. The oppressive Patriotic Bill initiated by Zanu PF is the driving force behind Job Sikhala waiting arrest. The UN ( United Nations) reports that Job Sikhala claimed Zanu PF is purposefully targeting opposition leaders and human rights advocates in order to stifle democratic voices.
Certain penalties included in the law for deliberately harming Zimbabwe's sovereignty and national interests are too severe and unstable for crimes, that aren’t clearly defined like lengthy jail terms, citizenship loss and a five-year ban from voting. A measure of this kind would further erode the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech in a nation that has a long history of oppressing and violating individual liberties.
In such a country that claims to be “democratic”, it is such a barbaric act and unethical for President Emmerson Mnangangwa and his government to bring such a law, in this 21st century. A government that cannot accept criticism or allow its citizens to speak their minds is already a failed government.
