The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Zimbabwe.

The resolution had been tabled by the ALDE, Greens/ALE, EPP-ED, UEN and PES groups. It condemns the Mugabe regime for the intensification of its oppression of the Zimbabwean people, at a time when the international community is giving priority to Africa, and expresses its deep disappointment at the refusal of other African governments, particularly South Africa, SADC and the African Union to criticise Mugabe's actions or to take action against his regime. Parliament calls for Robert Mugabe to stand down and for the establishment of a transitional government in Zimbabwe involving opposition groups and other persons of goodwill in order to restore acceptable standards of governance in Zimbabwe and remedy the broken economy and the human rights situation. It urges the G8 to insist upon a clear demonstration on the part of African regional organisations and nations of their commitment to good governance, tackling corruption, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as economic progress, and regards Zimbabwe as the test case in this regard.

Parliament deplores the failure of the Council to respond to Parliament's consistent calls for increased pressure on against the Mugabe regime. It insists that the Council take serious action to bring about change for the better in Zimbabwe. In this regard, the Council is asked to close loopholes in existing EU-targeted sanctions and make a clear commitment to their rigorous enforcement on the part of all Member States. These measures must include the curtailment of all economic links with Zimbabwe that directly benefit the regime (such as trade with farms controlled by regime members), the identification and imposition of measures against those providing financial backing for the anti-democratic activities of the regime (in cooperation with the United States and Commonwealth countries), and the prevention of family members of Mugabe's henchmen from gaining access to employment and educational institutions in EU Member States.

Furthermore, Parliament calls for the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for Zimbabwe to galvanise action among African states (in cooperation with the United States and Commonwealth countries) and for the suspension of the return of Zimbabwean asylum-seekers from Member States until the situation in Zimbabwe improves. Companies in EU Member States trading with Zimbabwe are called upon to employ transparent business practices, to refuse to enter into contracts with those that have been party to Mugabe's land seizure programme, and to act in ways that will be of benefit to the people of Zimbabwe and not the Mugabe regime.

With regard to the Commission, the resolution endorses the President of the Commission's expression of disappointment at the failure of the African Union and of South Africa to respond to the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe, and insists that in its forthcoming 'Strategy for Africa' the Commission take ample account of this resolution. Furthermore, it insists that aid must be made available to the Zimbabwean people through non-governmental organisations and calls on the Commission to do its utmost to ensure that the delivery of aid is not hampered by the Mugabe regime.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Zimbabwe.

The resolution had been tabled by the ALDE, Greens/ALE, EPP-ED, UEN and PES groups. It condemns the Mugabe regime for the intensification of its oppression of the Zimbabwean people, at a time when the international community is giving priority to Africa, and expresses its deep disappointment at the refusal of other African governments, particularly South Africa, SADC and the African Union to criticise Mugabe's actions or to take action against his regime. Parliament calls for Robert Mugabe to stand down and for the establishment of a transitional government in Zimbabwe involving opposition groups and other persons of goodwill in order to restore acceptable standards of governance in Zimbabwe and remedy the broken economy and the human rights situation. It urges the G8 to insist upon a clear demonstration on the part of African regional organisations and nations of their commitment to good governance, tackling corruption, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as economic progress, and regards Zimbabwe as the test case in this regard.

Parliament deplores the failure of the Council to respond to Parliament's consistent calls for increased pressure on against the Mugabe regime. It insists that the Council take serious action to bring about change for the better in Zimbabwe. In this regard, the Council is asked to close loopholes in existing EU-targeted sanctions and make a clear commitment to their rigorous enforcement on the part of all Member States. These measures must include the curtailment of all economic links with Zimbabwe that directly benefit the regime (such as trade with farms controlled by regime members), the identification and imposition of measures against those providing financial backing for the anti-democratic activities of the regime (in cooperation with the United States and Commonwealth countries), and the prevention of family members of Mugabe's henchmen from gaining access to employment and educational institutions in EU Member States.

Furthermore, Parliament calls for the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for Zimbabwe to galvanise action among African states (in cooperation with the United States and Commonwealth countries) and for the suspension of the return of Zimbabwean asylum-seekers from Member States until the situation in Zimbabwe improves. Companies in EU Member States trading with Zimbabwe are called upon to employ transparent business practices, to refuse to enter into contracts with those that have been party to Mugabe's land seizure programme, and to act in ways that will be of benefit to the people of Zimbabwe and not the Mugabe regime.

With regard to the Commission, the resolution endorses the President of the Commission's expression of disappointment at the failure of the African Union and of South Africa to respond to the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe, and insists that in its forthcoming 'Strategy for Africa' the Commission take ample account of this resolution. Furthermore, it insists that aid must be made available to the Zimbabwean people through non-governmental organisations and calls on the Commission to do its utmost to ensure that the delivery of aid is not hampered by the Mugabe regime.