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LSSA press release on Zimbabwe
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LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA CALLS ON ZIMBABWEAN AUTHORITIES
TO CEASE HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) expresses its grave concern at the ongoing harassment of human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwean authorities. The LSSA urges the Zimbabwean authorities to safeguard the right of legal practitioners to practise freely without fear of intimidation, arrest or assault.
‘Lawyers must be able to attend court and to consult freely with their clients to provide effective representation and to protect their clients’ rights and freedoms. Lawyers must have proper and unfettered access to the courts and to their clients, and the lawyer-client relationship must be protected,’ says LSSA Chief Executive Officer, Raj Daya.
Mr Daya urged the Zimbabwean authorities at all times to respect the rule of law, carry out the orders of the courts and uphold the independence of the judiciary and of legal practitioners.
‘The LSSA also expresses its support to the Law Society of Zimbabwe, its President Beatrice Mtetwa, and its members, and for the work being done by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). The LSSA joins these legal organisations in strongly condemning the recent arrest and detention of human rights lawyers Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni. ‘Although the two lawyers have been released, we agree with the ZLHR that the actions of the Zimbabwean authorities cannot be tolerated or condoned in a democratic society,’ says Mr Daya.
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Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 09-May-07
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LSSA press release on Zimbabwe
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