Five Days to Stop the Secrecy Bill

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_secrecy_bill/96.php


Five Days to Stop the Secrecy Bill
Dear Ms. Ntwanambi, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Magwanishe and Mr. Motshekga,
I call on you, along with thousands across the country, to recommend that MPs send the Protection of Information Bill back to Committee to be redrafted in line with the Constitution. The draft to be voted on September 20th is flawed --it throws a shroud over government and will obstruct legitimate whistle blowers from exposing information that is in the public interest, like cases of corruption and abuse of power. As Chief Whip you have the power to persuade our MPs to protect our democracy and our Constitution and to redraft a Protection of Information Bill that protects both the government and the public. Sincerely, [sender_name] [sender_postcode]
Avaaz.org will protect your privacy and keep you posted about this and similar campaigns.
20,000
17,164

17,164 Have sent messages in under 24 hours! Let's reach 20,000
Posted: 15 September 2011
photo: Avaaz members at Right2Know rally to stop the Protection of Information Bill

In five days, MPs could pass an outrageous secrecy bill that undermines the constitution and South Africa's democracy -- helping the government keep wrongdoing from the people and enabling cover-ups of corruption and human rights abuses. But there are four people that could make or break this bill: the Chief Whips.

Despite top lawyers warning that the bill is unconstitutional, the majority of MPs are expected to vote it through. But it will be up to the Chief Whips to rally the MPs to vote for or against the bill. If we flood their inboxes with messages from across South Africa calling on them to respect the law and oppose the secrecy bill, they could think twice about pushing it through.

Let's appeal to the Whips' sense of democratic responsibility and call on them to protect hard-won constitutional rights and freedoms, and transparent government. Use the form on the right to send a message straight to their inboxes and urge them to say No to the Secrecy Bill, then share this with everyone -- we will release the number of messages sent to the media on the eve of the vote.

Stop the Secrecy Bill -- upcoming events

On Saturday 17 September from 10am to 1pm, thousands of South Africans will join in a march to Parliament to reject the final draft of the "Secrecy Bill". Join the march!

When: 17 September 2011, 10am-1pm
Cape Town: Starts on corner of Tennant St and Keizersgracht St (outside CPUT)
*** Come dressed in red, black and white! ***

On Monday 19 September there will be candlelight vigils in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg from 6pm - 8pm.

When: 19 September 2011, 6pm-8pm
Cape Town: outside Parliament, corner of Roeland and Plein Street
Durban: outside King's House
JHB: Kotze entrance to ConCourt on Hospital Rd

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_secrecy_bill/96.php