Brussels, 22/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 April, the General Court of the EU dismissed the action brought by 110 individuals and 11 companies for annulment of the restrictive measures imposed by the EU following serious human rights violations by the Zimbabwean government.
The Court rejected all the arguments put forward by the complainants (case T-190/12). The Council of the EU has an adequate legal basis for the imposition of such measures (freezing of funds and ban on entry into or transit through EU territory) imposed because of alleged conduct which formed part of a strategy of intimidation and systematic violation of the fundamental rights of the Zimbabwean people.
The vast majority of the individuals and companies subject to those measures are such that it is legitimate to characterise them as “leaders of Zimbabwe” (senior officials and police and army officers) or as associates of those leaders and thereby to justify, on that ground alone, their being included on the list of persons or entities subject to restrictive measures. In every case, the Council provided reasons, with reference to specific conduct imputed to the individuals or companies, the Court notes. (Jan Kordys)