Zimbabwe defends rights record

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Zimbabwe has accused the European Union of ignoring the facts and unfairly condemning the government over its human rights record.

EU ministers on Monday demanded Zimbabwe explain why human rights violations were continuing or face economic sanctions, including a freeze on aid.

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo criticised the demand in the state-run Herald newspaper Tuesday.

Moyo was quoted as saying that Commonwealth mediators last week concluded " that there were conflicting allegations on the situation in Zimbabwe"

He said: "What the EU decision means is they are taking sides against the Zimbabwean government on conflicting evidence."

The Commonwealth trip ended inconclusively on Saturday after the government insisted it had taken steps to restore law and order and end political violence that began with the often violent occupations of white-owned farms in March 2000.

"You don't reward progress with sanctions ... This will shut the door on the EU's influence on Zimbabwe," Moyo said.

Under a human rights agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific nations, Zimbabwe has 15 days to arrange for talks with European officials that can last no longer than 60 days.

Failure to show Zimbabwe respects human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles opens the way for sanctions under the agreement.

"We are not at that stage yet," Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge told The Herald. He said he was ready for talks with the EU, which he described as "procedural."

President Robert Mugabe has vowed to follow the government's plans to seize white-owned land despite international condemnation.

Farming districts have been convulsed by chaos for more than 18 months, after militants began occupations of 1,700 white-owned farms, demanding they be redistributed to landless blacks.

The government has since embarked on a plan to seize 5,000 farms -- nearly all the farms owned by whites -- without paying compensation.

Human rights groups and white farmers told mediators Friday that widespread violence and abuses have continued despite a Commonwealth-brokered deal signed in Abuja, Nigeria.