Zimbabwe still determined to sue EU: Tomana

Attorney General Johannes Tomana says Zimbabwe will not reverse its decision to take the European Union to court over the issue of the illegal sanctions which were imposed on the country in 2002 after Britain internationalised its bilateral land dispute with the country.

Speaking to reporters in Harare, Mr Tomana said preparations for the filing of the litigation papers in the courts of law in Europe are already at an advanced stage.

The AG said the unilateral imposition of sanctions was and is illegal as the country poses no threat to international peace.

He pointed out that the manner in which the sanctions were imposed was inhuman and was in violation of the international statutes and the EU's own laws.

Most of those on the list only learnt of the development in the media as the EU never made an effort to officially notify them.

The sanctions were imposed over a decade ago in what Zanu-PF says was a retaliation to Zimbabwe's land reform programme aimed at empowering the indigenous people.

AG Tomana said the partial lifting of the embargo of certain individuals and companies last week was a non-event which demonstrated the EU's arrogance and intransigence as Zimbabwe was expecting dialogue before the extending of the illegal measures.

He said even those whose names were scrapped last week are still entitled to seek redress in the courts.

AG Tomana added that Zimbabwe's position is that the land reform programme for which the country is being punished does not constitute a threat to international peace and is therefore no reason for the illegal measures.