Amnesty International has expressed grave concerns at reports that the Zimbabwe government plans to ban international human rights groups as well as the foreign funding of local organisations promoting rights in the country. "These reports indicate that as with other legislation introduced in the past two years, the government will use this new bill to silence critical voices and further restrict the right to freedom of expression. It is a clear attempt by the government to suppress dissenting views as parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2005 draw closer," Amnesty International said.