Date: Tue, 30 Jul 96 10:07 GMT+0200 From: Stephen Van Breda CENSORSHIP AND ENTERTAINMENT CONTROL ACT CHAPTER 10:04 (Revised edition 1996) PART VI : PROHIBITED EXHIBITIONS AND ENTERTAINMENTS 17. PROHIBITED OF CERTAIN EXHIBITIONS AND ENTERTAINMENTS (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, the Board may, by notice in writing addressed to any person who is or is believed by the Board to be in charge of - (a) the public exhibition or intended exhibition of any publication, picture, statue or record or the public playing or intended playing of record; or (b) the public exhibition or intended exhibition, or the televising or intended televising, of any film in respect of which an exemption in terms of subsection (3) of section nine is in force or which has been approved in terms of subsection (4) of section ten; or (c) the giving or intended giving of any public entertainment in respect of which an exemption under subsection (2) of section sixteen is in force or a certificate has been given under the proviso to subsection (3) of that section; prohibit the same, or permit it subject to such conditions as the Board may in its discretion impose, if the Board has reason to believe that the said publication, picture or statue or record is undesirable or, as the case may be, the said film or entertainment is of a nature described in subsection (2) of section ten or, after consultation with the Secretary of the Ministry responsible for home affairs, is likely to be associated with breaches of the peace, disorderly or immoral behaviour or abuses relating to the consumption of alcohol and drugs. --=====================_838746421==_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Harare : Zimbabwe THE HERALD TUESDAY JULY 30 1996 CENSORS BOARD BANS GALZ FROM BOOK FAIR END OF THE ROAD ........... The Board of Censors has banned the Gays and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe from exhibiting at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair which opens today, effectively putting an end to a furore sparked by the intended participation of the controversial organisation at the Fair. In a notice of prohibition sent to the ZIBF and GALZ and signed by the Chairman of the Board, Mr Herbert Malaba, the board banned the exhibition by GALZ in terms of Section 17 (1) of the Censorship and Entertainments Control Act. The Board which took the decision in consultation with the Secretary for Home Affairs said any person contravened the order would be guilty of an offence. A statement from the ZIBF Trust said last night the trust was bound by the laws of Zimbabwe to comply with the order. At a meeting held on Sunday night GALZ said its membership had reaffirmed its position that it would proceed with participation at this year's Book Fair. "The barring of GALZ has no basis in law and as members of civil society, GALZ will not be bullied by Government into withdrawing. It's a disgrace that politicians should put themselves into the position of determining morale codes of private individuals." said GALZ Administrator Mr Keith Goddard. "Under no circumstances will GALZ tolerate threats issued by Government department. To bow to such pressure will simply encourage Government to continue with its invasive behaviour. The Gay community is standing up not just for gay rights but for the holistic principal of freedom of speech which applies to all individuals and communities in this country". It was not clear last night whether or not GALZ would be at the fair today following the prohibition order. The participation of GALZ at the fair had been roundly criticised in the strongest terms by a cross section of society. But the association had appeared determined to display its literature despite the obvious friction it was going to cause. Meanwhile, all is set for the fair which opens at Harare Gardens this morning. Exhibitors were throughout yesterday busy putting their final touches to their stands. GALZ had not put up anything by yesterday afternoon before the ban by Board of Censors was sent to it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Comment :- GALZ WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL COUNSEL THIS MORNING AND INTENDS TO PUT IN AN APPLICATION TO THE HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE TO OVERTURN THIS PROHIBITION ORDER. --=====================_838746421==_-- ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerplanet * * To unsubscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerplanet * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************