EU blames Mugabe for Zimbabwe violence

The European Union today strongly condemned what it called unprecedented violence sponsored by Zimbabwe’s president against the opposition.

It also accused Zimbabwe’s security forces of torturing opponents and carrying out hundreds of arbitrary arrests.

“The EU strongly condemns the unprecedented violence and repression against the opposition,” it said in a statement.

“The EU is especially concerned by the recent events and condemns the wave of arbitrary arrests of approximately 400 opposition supporters many of whom have suffered ill-treatment and even torture by security forces.”

The violence in Zimbabwe came after a nation-wide anti-government strike held last week.

“The EU calls on the government of Zimbabwe to respect the constitutionally guaranteed right of the Zimbabwean people to protest peacefully,” it said, blaming the violence on a speech made by President Robert Mugabe a week ago.

“We strongly condemn President Mugabe’s recent appeals on 21 and 22 March to smash any democratic opposition. These appeals actually triggered this new wave of violence,” the EU said.