Law Society steps in to help prevent breakdown of rule of law in Zimbabwe

22 October 2007

The Law Society is hosting a visit from the Law Society President of Zimbabwe, Beatrice Mtetwa, on Wednesday, to highlight the dramatic deterioration in the rule of law and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe.

Mrs Mtetwa will speak to an audience of lawyers and human rights activists to launch a report: Self Regulation at a Crossroads: Attack on Lawyers and Independence of the Legal Profession in Zimbabwe.

The report catalogues the systematic persecution of the legal profession through threats, surveillance, violence and torture.  Most notably, on 8 May 2007, Beatrice Mtetwa was chased by riot police and severely beaten with baton sticks. 

The report highlights the Zimbabwean Governments attack on the independence of the legal profession in the context of a lack of accountability of the state and a complete breakdown in the rule of law. Finally, the report also makes some short and long term recommendations for a return to peace, democracy and the rule of Law in Zimbabwe.

Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President of England and Wales, says: “Part of being a solicitor is a commitment to the rule of law and that must mean the rule of law around the world as well as at home.  As an immigration practitioner I see only too often the terrible human impact of civic and social breakdown. Many of our members have asked the Law Society, as their professional representative body, to express our solidarity with lawyers in Zimbabwe as they defend the rule of law, the very basis of any civilised society.  Beatrice and her colleagues are inspirational in their courageous stance and the Law Society stands shoulder to shoulder with them.”

Beatrice Mtetwa, Law Society President of Zimbabwe, says: “The Law Society of Zimbabwe has always been an important voice in defence of the rule of law, constitutionalism, the independence of the judiciary and human rights.  Lawyers in my country have been subjected to threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detention, false prosecutions, abductions, assaults and torture in attempting to resist attacks on legal institutions.  We appreciate the help the Law Society is giving us to help protect human rights and legal standards and agitate for the return to the rule of law in Zimbabwe so that the country is given a chance to develop.”

During a recent visit to the Commonwealth Law Conference in Nairobi by the President, Andrew Holroyd, the Law Society of Zimbabwe submitted a wish list of capacity building support including requests for books, equipment and training.  This week talks will be held to discuss the wish list and review how the Society is able to give practical help to their fellow lawyers in Zimbabwe.