Strasbourg, 09/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and EFD Groups, adopted in Strasbourg during plenary session on Thursday 8 July, the European Parliament denounces the conditions of arrest and detention of Farai Maguwu by the Zimbabwean authorities. Maguwu is accused of having published information detrimental to the Zimbabwean state. The resolution demands his immediate, unconditional release. Maguwu, a human rights activist, is the founder and director of the Centre for Research and Development NGO, who was arrested on 3 June for having criticised human rights violations in Zimbabwe diamond mines. Also, the Parliament calls on Harare to abide by its commitments under the Kimberley process, a system of certification allowing its members to sell raw diamonds on the lawful international market on condition that the trade is not used to finance armed conflict. MEPs urge the Zimbabwe government to demilitarise the Marange diamond fields.
The EP insists that the Zimbabwean government use the substantial revenue from diamond mining to help regenerate the economy as a whole in that country. It also calls for revision of the Kimberley Process to take proper account of human rights principles. Already called to order by the European Parliament, especially in the 17 December 2009 resolution, the Zimbabwean authorities are urged to ensure and defend the right of freedom of expression in that country so that NGOs may freely express their opinions. Finally, the EP welcomes the extension in February this year of the list of EU persons and entities on whom a ban has been placed due to their links with the regime headed by the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe. (E.H./transl.jl)