Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union before stayaway in Zimbabwe
The European Union has steadily monitored the situation in Zimbabwe and expressed its concern for the negative developments in the field of democracy and human rights in the country.
The EU notes that the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, has called for a five day stayaway and nationwide peaceful protest marches in Zimbabwe.
The EU, faithful to the principle of dialogue, urges both the government and the opposition to opt for this highly democratic process.
Consequently, the EU urges the MDC and civil society to ensure that any protests are indeed carried out peacefully. It also calls on the government of Zimbabwe to desist from any violence and respect the rights of its citizens to demonstrate and express their views peacefully. The excessive use of force which characterized its response to the stayaway of 18-19 march in no case should it be repeated.
Therefore the EU encourages, once more, the resumption of dialogue between the political parties and reiterates its commitment to human rights and freedom of opinion, association and assembly in Zimbabwe.
The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.
|
|
You can make a difference
|
|
 |
Make a donation |
|
Support Zimbabwe at an event |
|
Lobby your local Government member |
|
Become a member of the ZIC |
|
