- The European Union Council has renewed the body's restrictive measures against Zimbabwe for a year.
The ban, which remains in force until 20 February 2009, was a response to an earlier call by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Both unions received the renewal of the ban with delight. “The ITUC welcomes this position as there has been no improvement in the situation regarding trade union and other human rights in the country”, Guy Ryder, the General Secretary of ITUC, said.
Zimbabwe had first got the anger of the EU in February 2002 after its government was accused of gross violations of rights. Zimbabwean officials were banned from entering into the EU while individuals that engage in activities that seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, had their financial assets frozen.
The EU had also imposed an embargo on the supply of arms and equipment intended for military operations in the southern African country.
The Council also endorsed that Zimbabwe should be suspended from accessing support from the European Development Fund for a year. The country was accused of continuously flouting the essential provisions of the ACP-EU partnership agreement.
The international trade union movement has damned Zimbabwean police for their brutal attack on nine teacher trade unionists on Tuesday.
Alongside their President, Raymond Majongwe, the teacher unionists were arrested and beaten as they started distributing leaflets about Zimbabwe's education crisis.
They were taken to the police station where further savage beatings were administered, resulting to the hospitalisation of five who are nursing broken bones and other injuries.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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