Strasbourg, 11/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the EP adopted a resolution condemning Mugabe's dictatorial regime which pitilessly oppresses the Zimbabwean people, and expressed its deep disappointment at the refusal of regional players, such as the African Union and South Africa, to adopt a stronger stance towards the abuses committed. MEPs said that Zimbabwe was currently suffering one of the most serious HIV-AIDS epidemics in the world (more than 3,200 people die every week). The EP refused to recognise the legitimacy of the new Zimbabwean senate. In addition, it called for the withdrawal of bills on the interception of communications and on non-governmental organisations which would lead to even more severe repression of the opposition. It called on the Council to ensure that all Member States apply strictly all restrictive measures that have been decided on, including the embargo on arms and called on South Africa, as the organising country, and FIFA to exclude Zimbabwe from participating in the qualifying rounds for the 2010 (football) World Cup.
During the debate, Geoffrey Van Orden (EPP-ED, UK) condemned both the lukewarm reaction of the international community and Chinese support for the Mugabe regime. Karin Scheele (PES, Austria) wanted observers on the ground. Marcin Libicki (UEN, Poland) said that Zimbabwe was an example of how the de-colonisation process could go wrong, when power is put in the hands of an irresponsible power. Raül Romeva i Rueda (Greens/EFA, Spain) denounced the bills which, judging from the model already existing in China, would allow Zimbabwean security services to intercept electronic communications, internet connections and telephone conversations. The EP should concentrate on trade union activities which merit its support, stressed Jósef Pinior (PES, Poland). Jaromi Kohlièek protested against the idea of excluding Zimbabwe from the qualifying rounds of the next World Cup. Commissioner Franco Frattini said he was increasingly concerned by the situation in Zimbabwe, and said he felt any relaxation in the measures taken by the EU was completely out of the question. As for exclusion from the 2010 World Cup, he said the decision was one for FIFA, even though he personally thought the idea was worthy of serious consideration. Finally, he gave an assurance that the Commission would continue to its close dialogue with Zimbabwe's neighbours.