The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022,[1][2] commonly known as the Patriotic Bill is a Zimbabwean law that criminalises damaging the national interest of the country or critique of the Government of Zimbabwe.[3][4]
| Patriotic Bill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Zimbabwe | |
| |
| Territorial extent | Zimbabwe |
| Commenced | 31 May 2023 |
| Status: In force | |
The bill became law on May 31, 2023.[3] The ruling ZANU-PF government said that the law is modelled around the United States' Logan Act.[4] Legal scholars criticised the law for being "ambiguously worded, complicated, and difficult to understand."[2] Opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change stated that the law's introduction signalled "a full-blown dictatorship run by a regime worse than Robert Mugabe".[2]
Consequences for breaking the law include removal of citizenship and death.[4]
References
edit- ^ Marong, Sadibou (2023-06-23). ""Patriot Bill" threat to Zimbabwean journalists two months before elections | RSF". Reporters without Borders. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ a b c Ndebele, Lenin. "'A full-blown dictatorship': Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa signs draconian Patriotic Bill". News24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ a b "Zimbabwe's 'Patriotic Bill' outlaws criticism of government before election". Reuters. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ a b c Ndlovu, Ray (2023-06-02). "Bad-Mouthing The State Is Outlawed Before Election in Zimbabwe". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2023-07-20.