Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Common Position 2004/161/CFSP^f1, and in particular Article 6 thereof, in conjunction with Article 23(2) of the Treaty on European Union,

Whereas:

By Common Position 2004/161/CFSP, the Council adopted measures, inter alia, to prevent the entry into, or transit through the territories of Member States of individuals who engage in activities which seriously undermine democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe and to freeze the funds and economic resources belonging to members of the government of Zimbabwe and to any natural or legal person, entity or body associated with them listed in the Annex to Common Position 2004/161/CFSP.

Following the violence organised and committed by the Zimbabwean authorities during the presidential election campaign in 2008, which turned the election into a denial of democracy, certain persons and entities should be added to the list set out in the Annex to Common Position 2004/161/CFSP. In addition to their activities seriously undermining democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, these persons and entities are associated with the regime by their functions or, through their participation in or encouragement of the violence organised and committed by the Zimbabwean authorities, must be regarded as being associated with the regime,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: