By Tichaona Sibanda
18 November 2009
The UK based pressure group, Zimbabwe Vigil, has sent a petition to the European Union urging the grouping to suspend aid to all SADC states for ‘blindly’ supporting Robert Mugabe.
Since October 2002 the ZimVigil has met outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in the Strand in London every Saturday, to protest the human rights abuses by the regime.
Rose Benton, coordinator for the organisation, said by not applying pressure on Mugabe to stop human rights abuses, all SADC leaders stand accused of complicity in the torture, maiming or killing of Zimbabweans by ZANU PF.
Benton said there was no better time than now for the SADC leaders to announce they would not use their veto power during SADC summits to defend ZANU PF crimes.
‘I’m glad to announce the EU’s Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht, received our petition in Brussels this week. We handed the petition to Geoffrey Van Orden, an MEP for the East of England, last month during the Vigil’s seventh anniversary,’ Benton said.
Benton said their argument was that SADC countries have been derelict in their duty to Zimbabwe and why should countries which support Mugabe’s tyranny receive money from EU taxpayers.
‘All we are saying in the petition is that the UK government and the European Union in general should suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region,’ she said.
She added that most vigil members were in favour of a situation where that aid be diverted to feed the starving in Zimbabwe.
SADC has recently come under much pressure for contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe by failing to enforce compliance with its stated commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
Analysts say because of its bias in favour of Mugabe, the regional bloc refuses to criticize, condemn or even mention the ongoing crackdown on MDC activists, civic society and lawyers attempting to defend the victims.
Thats good some one needs to stand up keep it up look whats happening in south Africa killing us for what reason because of the world cup hahahaha
No one is killed for world cup, you are taking their jobs.
Why should orphans suffer in DRC, Zambia Malawi and everywhere in SADC. is it their fault that their leaders support Mugabe??? Sanctions are meant to force the leaders to be more democratic for the benefit of the masses. But how many cases do you know where sanctions worked?? they end up hurting the very people they are supposed to protect.
SADC should just do the right thing and force Mugabe to respect the rule of law. Or have another election in Zimbabwe.
Hey Baba TEE there are no sanctions. What are you talking about?Chuckle!!!!
Abel..This is a crisis moment..Baba Tee simply stated his wish for the EU to impose Sanctions on the whole of the SADC unless they support a free Zimbabwe..What is wrong with that….(Without the Chuckle)…(ED)
Mr Editor, with all due respect, did you read what Baba Tee said? He says there are sanctions which are hurting the ordinary man and they have never worked anyway but I am saying there are no sanctions.No chuckle this time.
Abel
NO I did not say there are sanctions. I said why protest for sanctions???? When its a proven fact that they only hurt the people they are supposed to protect.
I did not say they are there.
Baba Tee simply stated his wish for the EU to impose Sanctions
AND
I said why protest for sanctions???? When its a proven fact that they only hurt the people they are supposed to protect.
are hardly the same statement. Seems you and the editor are not saying the same thing
No we are not.
I AM AGAINST SANCTIONS. I SUPPORT WARS THOUGH.
You support wars because you will be far from them.selfish bugger. Go to the warfront and come back and tell us you love wars. You will here that your parents have been butchered in Zimbabwe while you are in the diaspora then you will know these are not video games.
WAR is what Matibhili wants because thats where his degrees are. He will be snug in his bed with Grace though while we are killing each other.chuckle!!