EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/467

(2004/C 88 E/0481)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Subject: Zimbabwe — Censorship and repression

In the last few weeks, the ZANU-PF Government of President Mugabe closed down Zimbabwe's only independent daily newspaper — The Daily News — and stepped up repression of political opponents and dissidents. The newspaper's lawyers went to the local Administrative Court seeking the revocation of the decision to close the paper, which they were granted by the ruling of 24 October, in which it was acknowledged that the government's Committee for the Media and Information had no legitimate right to stop the publication of the newspaper.

After a single edition appeared, the police closed the paper again, on the basis of a government appeal to the Supreme Court, which suspended the effects of the previous ruling. Zimbabwe's Supreme Court, currently presided over by Judge Godfrey Chidyausiku, a former Mugabe minister, may take years to consider this appeal.

Given the climate of violence and intimidation, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party has apparently already reorganised itself in such a way as to enable it to operate clandestinely.

John Makumbe, professor of political science at Harare's University of Zimbabwe, claims that the next target will be NGOs, given that the Zimbabwean Parliament is drafting legislation demanding that such organisations be registered, and providing for possible suspension of their senior personnel.

The Commission:

— what information does it have about this fresh wave of human rights violations in Zimbabwe;

— what steps has it taken or will it take to bring pressure to bear on the Zimbabwean authorities to cease carrying out action of this kind;

— can it confirm the imminent promulgation of laws infringing the freedom and independence of the press and the non-governmental organisations operating in Zimbabwe;

— what approaches has it made recently to civil society and the opposition in Zimbabwe, with a view to ascertaining and promoting the best way of tackling the current political and social situation there?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

The Commission is aware of the facts mentioned by the Honourable Member and follows events in Zimbabwe with concern and very closely. The Union has reacted promptly to the latest attacks against fundamental rights made by the Government of Zimbabwe.

Being deeply worried about the deterioration of the current situation with regard to the above, the Commission has fully supported the last two Declarations issued by the Presidency on behalf of the Union related to these matters: on 18 September 2003, a declaration on Freedom of Press in Zimbabwe by which the Union has condemned the closure of the Daily News and, recently, on 28 November 2003, a declaration expressing concern on the current situation in Zimbabwe, calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect fundamental rights and urging it to engage in active and meaningful dialogue with internal stakeholders as a way forward to solve the current crisis.

The Commission cannot confirm the information as referred to by the Honourable Member on the imminent promulgation of laws infringing the freedom and independence of the press and the nongovernmental organisations (NGO's) operating in Zimbabwe.

The Commission intends to pursue its assistance to civil society actors in order to support human rights and democratisation projects/activities and to allow them to enhance their capacity to promote internal dialogue.