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'Sanctions against Zimbabwe are legal' says Mahere
07 Mar 2019 at 03:29hrs | Views
Human Rights Lawyer Fadzayi Mahere says sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe by the United States of America are legal and supported by legislation.
Mahere further told the Zimbabwean government to desist from hiring countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions because Americans do not listen to South Africa.
Recently the European Union and the United States of America renewed sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Read Mahere's full statement below:
US sanctions against Zimbabwe aren't illegal. They're authorized by their legislature. They're not forced by any domestic or international law to associate with Zimbabwe beyond what they're comfortable with. Our opinions on this are irrelevant. If we want them lifted, must play ball.
If they're serious about wanting the sanctions lifted, Government must demonstrate serious commitment to meeting the stated conditions. The US has no qualms with imposing sanctions for decades (see Cuba). Unless there's reform, we'll be singing the same tired tune in 20 years time.
Please stop roping in countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions. Their opinions on the imposition of the sanctions are just as irrelevant as our own. We must reform. There are no shortcuts. African 2-faced diplomacy won't rescue us or our economic woes.
Calling the US names won't help either. Diplomacy means we have to know whether we are buying or selling and exercise humility accordingly. If we weren't affected by the sanctions, we wouldn't be harping on about how terrible they are ad nauseam. Government needs to change strategy.
Sanctions aside, the reform of the Zimbabwean state is a good thing for us all. It's a pity that the people can't compel Government to change. We want reform regardless of whether sanctions have been imposed. The refusal to reform constitutes a sanction by the Government on the people.
Mahere further told the Zimbabwean government to desist from hiring countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions because Americans do not listen to South Africa.
Recently the European Union and the United States of America renewed sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Read Mahere's full statement below:
US sanctions against Zimbabwe aren't illegal. They're authorized by their legislature. They're not forced by any domestic or international law to associate with Zimbabwe beyond what they're comfortable with. Our opinions on this are irrelevant. If we want them lifted, must play ball.
If they're serious about wanting the sanctions lifted, Government must demonstrate serious commitment to meeting the stated conditions. The US has no qualms with imposing sanctions for decades (see Cuba). Unless there's reform, we'll be singing the same tired tune in 20 years time.
Please stop roping in countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions. Their opinions on the imposition of the sanctions are just as irrelevant as our own. We must reform. There are no shortcuts. African 2-faced diplomacy won't rescue us or our economic woes.
Calling the US names won't help either. Diplomacy means we have to know whether we are buying or selling and exercise humility accordingly. If we weren't affected by the sanctions, we wouldn't be harping on about how terrible they are ad nauseam. Government needs to change strategy.
Sanctions aside, the reform of the Zimbabwean state is a good thing for us all. It's a pity that the people can't compel Government to change. We want reform regardless of whether sanctions have been imposed. The refusal to reform constitutes a sanction by the Government on the people.
Source - Byo24News
