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Zimbabwe Parliament to Vote on Changing Constitution
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=ECA83D:3919ACA

Two of proposed changes would prohibit appeals of property seizures
and restrict freedom of movement





Robert Mugabe speaks at a state funeral August 28Zimbabwe's
parliament, dominated by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party, is
expected to easily approve changes in the constitution, among them two
that restrict property rights and freedom of movement.

ZANU PF must have 100 of its elected and appointed legislators in
Parliament for the two-thirds majority needed to change the
constitution.

This will be the 17th change to the constitution since independence
from Britain in 1980.

Statements have been carried on state radio and television calling all
ZANU PF legislators to Parliament to vote on the constitutional
amendments.

There are two clauses the political opposition, civil rights activists
and Zimbabwe's Law Society find most objectionable. One would allow
the state to nationalize private property, with the owners given no
recourse to appeal to the courts. The other would allow the government
to seize passports of any citizen accused of damaging the national
interest. Opponents fear the amendment is intended as a way to silence
dissent.

The Zimbabwe Law Society took an unprecedented step last week by
issuing a statement signed by all nine members of its council, some of
whom have pro-ruling party sympathies, condemning the constitutional
changes.

It said the changes are a frontal attack on democratic governance and
called for ZANU PF to abandon the process. The Law Society instead
called for a review of the constitution that includes both government
supporters and the opposition.

The statement, according to Law Society President Joseph James, was
signed by its councilors to present a united front and he described it
as an auspicious moment in the history of the organization that
regulates Zimbabwe's legal profession.

Some insiders in the legal profession say that the Law Society
statement reflects the thinking of Zimbabwe's judiciary, even though
it is dominated by judges generally sympathetic to Mr. Mugabe's
administration.

ZANU PF says it needs to change the constitutional provisions on
property rights because it has taken too long to finalize seizure of
white-owned commercial farms. Delays occurred because most owners of
the land challenged the confiscation in the courts.

The amendment would allow any property described as agricultural land
to be nationalized without appeal, including more than 6,000 farms
seized from about 4,000 white commercial farmers since 2000.

Most ZANU PF legislators, senior members of the army, police, and some
judges have been given white-owned farms by Mr. Mugabe.

ZANU PF also says it needs to restrict the travel of some citizens who
it asserts denigrate Zimbabwe at international forums.


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