http://www.afrol.com/articles/11327

Europe widens sanctions against Zimbabwe
afrol News, 20 February - The Council of the European Union (EU) has renewed its existing "targeted sanctions" against the Harare regime of President Robert Mugabe for another year, but also adding 16 new persons to the sanctions list. The Council quoted the "continued deterioration in the human rights situation" in Zimbabwe as the reason.

From 1 May, a total of 25 European countries will have implemented sharper sanctions against the Mugabe regime. In addition to President Mugabe, a total of 94 high ranking Zimbabweans will then be banned from travelling to most of Europe. The updated "list of persons subject to these measures" includes the inner circle of President Mugabe's allies, which the EU holds responsible for human rights violations.

The EU Council informed that it now has renewed the so-called "targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe" for a third year. Europeans observe no improvements in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, on the contrary, they speak of "a continued deterioration."

Extended for 12 months, the sanctions were due to expire on 20 February. They take the form of an embargo on the sale, supply or transfer of arms and technical advice, assistance or training related to military activities, and an embargo on the sale and supply of equipment that could be used for internal repression in Zimbabwe, according to the Council.

They also include a travel ban on "persons who engage in serious violations of human rights and of the freedom of opinion, of association and of peaceful assembly in Zimbabwe," the Council says. The 95 persons on the sanctions list have also observed a freezing of their funds, financial assets and economic resources in the EU.

According to a statement issued by the EU Council, the aim of the sanctions, adopted in 2002 and extended in 2003, "is to encourage those targeted to reject policies that lead to suppression of human rights, of the freedom of expression and of good governance."

Critics however have pointed to the "continued deterioration in the human rights situation there" as proof of the limited effect of the sanctions. Nevertheless, the Europeans rejected civil society calls to create a tougher sanctions regime.

Also Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has called for tougher EU sanctions against the Harare regime. The MDC in particular asked the Council to extend the application of the sanction, also to target the companies "that are pillars of the regime."

Given the almost total collapse of the Zimbabwean economy, European governments however have chosen to avoid trade and investment sanctions, which also neighbour Southern African countries have warned against. Trade sanctions could strongly damage the livelihood of ordinary Zimbabweans, already struggling to survive, officials in the European Parliament indicated.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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