via EU says Zanu (PF) misinterpreting lifting of travel ban against Mugabe – The Zimbabwean 4 February 2015 by Edgar Gweshe
The European Union (EU) says Zanu (PF’s) interpretation of the recent lifting of the travel ban against President Robert Mugabe is misguided.
The EU spokesperson, Catherine Ray, yesterday announced that they were easing the travel ban imposed against Mugabe in 2002 for a year to allow the Zanu (PF) leader, who assumed chairmanship of the African Union (AU) recently to travel in Europe in his capacity as AU chair.
The travel ban against Mugabe followed a wave of human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
When news came out that the measures had been lifted, Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo said the EU was seeking to avoid confrontation with Africa by lifting measures against Mugabe.
He added that the EU was trying to hoodwink the African continent.
However, the EU delegation in Zimbabwe has said that Zanu (PF’s) reaction to the latest development was a misinterpretation of “Article 3.2-4 of the original common position of 2002”.
A spokesperson from the EU delegation in Harare said: “”The bottom line is that no decision has been taken. The decision (to lift the travel ban) has not been taken and what the EU spokesperson was referring to was Article 3.2-4. That decision will be taken on 20 February and as of now; no decision has been taken on the travel measures.”
Article 3.3 of the Council of the European Union adopted on 18 February 2002 allows for the lifting of travel bans on persons under travel measures under specific circumstances.
The EU spokesperson said this was the case with Mugabe.
Reads Article 3.3-4 of the EU Council: “Member States may grant exemptions from the measures imposed in paragraph 1 where travel is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation, or on grounds of attending meetings of international bodies or conducting political dialogue that promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
“A Member State wishing to grant exemptions referred to in paragraph 3 shall notify the Council in writing. The exemption will be deemed to be granted unless one or more of the Council Members raises an objection in writing within 48 hours of receiving notification of the proposed exemption.”
The EU removed targeted measures against the remaining eight of Mugabe’s lieutenants last year leaving Mugabe and his wife Grace on the targeted measures list.
The continental bloc said it would review its position on Mugabe in February this year.
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