Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the suppression of demonstrations in Zimbabwe

Press release 375/2006
22 September, 2006


The European Union is following closely the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, and is deeply concerned by the latest infringement of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

On 13 September the Zimbabwe Council of Trade Unions (ZCTU) organised a demonstration to express concerns about the situation workers face in Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe responded by arresting the President and the Secretary General of the ZCTU. In addition, the government undertook countrywide arrests of individuals who had planned to participate in these demonstrations. Considerable violence leading to serious injuries was used in many cases, including while the individuals were under arrest.

The European Union urges the Government of Zimbabwe to stop intimidation and assault and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens. The EU calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to carry out a full investigation into the assaults and to bring those responsible to justice.

Zimbabwe has signed and ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which they are in breach of with these actions.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.