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"I understand that the Zimbabwean Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana, (who himself was unilaterally appointed in 2008 by President Mugabe, against the will of the Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai - in direct violation of the Zimbabwean Constitution) has recently written to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, questioning the legality of the EU's "restrictive measures" imposed against President Robert Mugabe, senior members of his regime and companies linked to his regime. These restrictive measures have been in place since Mugabe violently rigged the 2002 Zimbabwean Presidential election. In his letter to Van Rompuy, Tomana raises some technical objections to the restrictive measures and says that the Government of Zimbabwe may consider bringing a case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
"I have been, and remain, supportive of the EU's restrictive measures against Mugabe and his inner circle. Contrary to the false claims by supporters of Mugabe, these are not 'sanctions' against Zimbabwe and her people, but carefully targeted measures against 163 individuals and 31 companies that have supported Mugabe and his oppressive agenda. They stop Mugabe and his henchmen from shopping in Europe and freeze their European bank accounts.
"Until Mugabe and his cronies step aside and there is real evidence of change, including free elections and an end to harassment of the opposition and journalists alike, the EU is right to keep its measures in place. Mugabe, with help from his security apparatus, still manages to trample on the basic rights of the Zimbabwean people. "
ENDS
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