EU Commission pledges increased support to pro-democracy groups in Zimbabwe

By Violet Gonda

24 November 2005

The European Union council has backed appeals to increase funding and support to civil society and human rights groups in Zimbabwe. The call for support was made Wednesday at a meeting of legislators from the African, Caribbean and Pacific - European Union joint parliamentary assembly, in Scotland.

Although the Zimbabwe crisis was not on the agenda at the two week long ACP-EU meeting, the situation in the country could not be ignored as questions were raised as to whether the EU council would continue helping pro-democracy groups.

Glenys Kinnock, the president from the co-European side, started the ball rolling earlier in the week, when she expressed solidarity and sympathy with the agony and suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.

Three Zimbabwean legislators were present at the weeklong meeting which ended Thursday. They were Walter Mzembi and Daniel Mackenzie Ncube from Zanu PF and the MDC’s Nelson Chamisa.

Chamisa told Newsreel that a Portuguese MP then brought up the Zimbabwe issue on Wednesday when he asked the council the question on further funding. Chamisa said, “The EU Commissioner answered that there is indeed going to be increased support in areas of governance and human rights. There is going to be increased support in areas of general social development of the people dealing with AIDS pandemic and assisting community groups.”

The commissioner said of course the government continues to be an impediment, violating human rights and mismanaging the economy.

The Zanu PF delegates defended the government and Walter Mzembe is said to have intervened saying civil society should not be used to substitute the parliament or government, in reference to the funding pledges.

Chamisa said it was sad that Zimbabwe has lost out a lot on developmental issues discussed at such forums. He said “Zimbabwe remains on the international radar for the wrong reasons, human rights violations and bad governance. Unfortunately these issues continue to be raised mainly by the West and there seems to be a false solidarity of the leadership from our African counterparts.” The outspoken parliamentarian said although there is more understanding from ACP countries, “…most of the ACP countries do not want to come out in the open because for them it’s embarrassing to be seen to be in solidarity with the EU against their own fellow sister country, Zimbabwe. So the best they have chosen as a way of dealing with the fall out is to be quiet.”