The EU adopted its position in 2002, as the Zimbabwean government threw all sense of democracy and human rights adrift. These travel bans against Mugabe have been renewed year after year as the oppression has increased.

The reasons that the sanctions were adopted are not just still present, but in fact have become far worse. The human rights abuses are disgraceful; and the treatment of those who oppose the situation is brutal. The reasons for holding the sanctions have never been stronger.

Furthermore, the sanctions are not related to trade, rather they impose a travel ban on President Mugabe and his fellow government ministers from travelling to the EU. Any assets held by Mugabe and his cronies in the EU are also frozen, so that they can no longer live the life of luxury while the people of Zimbabwe starve and they prevent Mugabe from using weapons to suppress the Zimbabwean people, through an arms embargo.

Director of Action for Southern Africa, a campaigning organisation for human rights in the region, Kathryn Llewellyn said “These targeted sanctions against Mugabe are not economic sanctions; they are in fact travel bans on Mugabe and certain government officials. ACTSA campaigned for the renewal of these sanctions as the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe have worsened and the Zimbabwean government have shown no signs of addressing the issues that led to the travel bans being imposed in 2002. While the people of Zimbabwe have their right to free speech heavily oppressed, it is important that the EU sends the correct message and holds the travel bans.”