Mugabe blasted for human rights abuses at EU summit

By Tererai Karimakwenda
10 December, 2007

Over the weekend at the E.U./Africa summit in Portugal Robert Mugabe was the target of much criticism by European heads of state and activists, who oppose his human rights abuses. Mugabe was also the target of a dramatic gesture by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, during a British television programme. On the streets of Lisbon activists from the London based Zimbabwe Vigil staged dramatic demonstrations that received much global media coverage. But the majority of African leaders at the summit refrained from criticising Mugabe, choosing instead to refer to Zimbabwe’s problems in general. Ironically, they also signed a Declaration agreeing to uphold democracy and the rule of law.

The strongest statement came from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Saturday accused Mugabe of “harming the image of the new Africa.” Mugabe hit back, describing Merkel as a mouthpiece for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who boycotted the summit over Mugabe’s presence. He also attacked what he called the “gang of four,” referring to the European countries who have taken a strong stance against his government’s human rights record.

On Sunday the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, had surprised the BBC's Andrew Marr on his morning show by dramatically taking off his dog collar, cutting it to pieces and vowing not to wear it until Mugabe was no longer in power. Sentamu said: "Do you know what Mugabe has done? He has taken people's identity and literally, if you don't mind, cut it to pieces." The archbishop also called for more demonstrations against Mugabe and accused South Africa of not recognising that people in Zimbabwe are starving.

Also on Sunday, several European leaders responded to Mugabe’s statement that had accused them of being a ‘gang’ supporting the British Prime Minister. Dutch PM Peter Balkenende and his Swedish counterpart, Fredrik Reinfeldt, both said they were pleased to be part of a gang that defended human rights.

Amidst all this fuss over Mugabe details about the Economic Partnership Agreements that Europe was trying to negotiate became lost in most press reports. Very few focused on how a row developed and no concrete agreements were signed. Several African states, including Senegal, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, were reportedly against signing saying they are seeking better protection for African producers. Only 15 out of the 76 countries involved in the talks reportedly signed EPA’s with Europe.

As for democracy; on the last day a group of African states, along with 26 EU leaders, signed what they called the "Lisbon Declaration," a pledge to uphold democracy and the rule of law. Among the signatories were Robert Mugabe, accused of being a ruthless dictator and Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup and stands accused of genocide in the Darfur region.

The document read in part: "We are resolved to build a new strategic political partnership for the future, overcoming the traditional donor-recipient relationship and building on common values and goals in our pursuit of peace and stability, democracy and the rule of law, progress and development."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria also signed the Declaration. Both won in elections that were controversial. Zenawi jailed all the opposition leaders after his victory in 2005 and Yar'Adua was accused of rigging and using violence.

A statements from Human Rights Watch expressed scepticism over the sincerity of many African leaders who signed the document, saying they make commitments but do nothing.

Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch said: “The question is what difference is it going to make and what does it mean for Mugabe to sign the pledge for democracy agreement. It looks like some dictators just put pen to paper without much regard to what it means. They just did it to get the democracy and human rights issues out of the way.”