Zimbabwe: 2005 International statements

Updated March 2005

European Union

"The Council of the EU adopted a common position renewing the restrictive measures against Zimbabwe which is laid down in Common Position 2004/161/CFSP (5639/05). The Common Position has been extended until 20 February 2006 and will be reviewed in the light of the 2005 Parliamentary elections. The sanctions take the form of an embargo on the sale, supply and transfer of arms, assistance or training for military activities; and an embargo on the sale or supply of equipment which might be used for internal repression measures. They also include a travel ban on persons who have committed offences against human rights and freedom of opinion, association and peaceful assembly in Zimbabwe and a freezing of funds, financial assets and economic resources" (European Union 2005).

Commonwealth

"The Commonwealth is concerned at the continued abuse of fundamental human rights and the principles of good governance and rule of law in Zimbabwe. The Commonwealth Secretariat's Director of Political Affairs, Matthew Neuhaus, said: We at the Commonwealth Secretariat remain concerned at the situation in Zimbabwe. We will continue seeking to assist in promoting national reconciliation and progress, even though, for now, Zimbabwe is not a member state" (Commonwealth Secretariat 2004).

South Africa

"'I don't know what is said about what has happened in Zimbabwe that is in violation of the SADC protocol, because as far as I know, things like an independent electoral commission, things like access to the public media, things like the absence of violence and intimidation -- those matters have been addressed." Mbeki said what the SADC is interested in is free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, as it would be interested in free and fair elections in any of its member states. "The SADC delegation that goes to Zimbabwe would ... maintain contact with all of the parties contesting the election ... and work with all of them to make sure the will of the people of Zimbabwe is properly expressed." Mbeki said Zimbabwe is the only country in the region that has introduced new electoral law on the basis of SADC principles. "Certainly, in all the communications we've had with the government of Zimbabwe, they are saying ... they are party to that [the SADC] agreement. I do not imagine that there is anybody in Zimbabwe who would want to act contrary to [this]. I have no reason to think that anybody in Zimbabwe will act in a way that will militate against elections being free and fair,' Mbeki said" (Mail & Guardian Online 2005).

United Kingdom

"The European Union today renewed its targeted measures against the Government of Zimbabwe, which continues to refuse to end its assault on democracy and the policies which have caused such hardship for its people.
"The most recent developments in Harare, including a crackdown on correspondents for foreign media organisations and the break-up of opposition meetings by the police, indicate that the Mugabe regime continues to fear and distrust democracy, betraying fear and distrust of its people. The break-up of opposition meetings also flies in the face of the SADC electoral principles, to which Zimbabwe has committed itself, and which provide for the freedom of movement, assembly, association, expression and campaigning."
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on 21 February (Straw 2005).

United States

"We wish to see free and fair parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe on March 31 that reflect the will of the people. Zimbabwe needs a legitimate parliament that can grapple with the economic and governance crises that have caused millions of Zimbabweans to flee the country.
"We have serious concerns about the election environment in Zimbabwe. We urge the Government and all parties to observe the letter and spirit of the election guidelines unanimously adopted by the Southern African Development Community.
"Controls on the media should be lifted, all parties should be free to campaign and mobilize their supporters, there must be an end to political violence, election institutions must be scrupulously impartial, and credible international observers should be invited to monitor the vote.
"Another flawed election only will serve to exacerbate Zimbabwe's divisions, prolong its economic and governance crises, and create even greater hardships for its southern Africa neighbours" (US Department of State 2005).

"To be sure, in our world there remain outposts of tyranny - and America stands with oppressed people on every continent - in Cuba, and Burma, and North Korea, and Iran, and Belarus, and Zimbabwe. The world should apply what Natan Sharansky calls the "town square test": if a person cannot walk into the middle of the town square and express his or her views without fear of arrest, imprisonment, or physical harm, then that person is living in a fear society, not a free society. We cannot rest until every person living in a "fear society" has finally won their freedom."
Secretary Condoleeza Rice (Rice 2005).

"In her remarks to Congress, for instance, Secretary Rice identified Zimbabwe as an 'outpost of tyranny' - not to threaten an invasion, but as a statement of fact about the government's treatment of its people. The U.S. will continue to stand with the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to return democracy to their country. We do not seek to install a U.S.-style democracy in Zimbabwe, or anywhere else for that matter. As the President said, 'The United States has no fight, no right, no desire, and no intention to impose our form of government on anyone else. But we do support governments that answer to their citizens, and respect basic, fundamental human rights.'
Jendayi Frazer, Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa (Frazer 2005).

References

COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT 2004, "Promoting Human Rights In Zimbabwe", Commonwealth of Nations, [www] http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/System/LatestNews.asp?NodeID=37278 [opens new window] (accessed 5 Mar 2010).

EUROPEAN UNION 2005, "2640th Council Meeting, General Affairs and External Relations - Brussels", 21 February.

FRAZER, J 2005, "Speaking out where we see tyranny in place", Address to the South African Institute for International Affairs, Johannesburg, February 24.

MAIL & GUARDIAN ONLINE 2005, "Mbeki: No one will hamper fair Zim vote", March 2, [www] http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=198731&area=/breaking_news/ breaking_news__national/ (offline 5 Mar 2010).

RICE 2005 "Address to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee", Washington, DC, January 18.

STRAW, J 2005 "Straw Statement on Zimbabwe", Foreign & Commonwealth News, February 21, [www] http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1107298368479 [opens new window] (accessed 5 Mar 2010).

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE 2005, "Elections in Zimbabwe", February 1, [www] http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/41459.htm (offline 5 Mar 2010).