*/
AT the World Bar Conference of the International Council of Advocates and Barristers (ICAB) held in Dublin and Belfast from 27th - 30th June 2008, the Bars of Australia, England and Wales, Hong Kong, Ireland, Namibia, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Zimbabwe considered the events currently taking place in Zimbabwe.
The ICAB unanimously resolved to denounce the actions of the government of Zimbabwe in ignoring its human rights obligations under
domestic and international law and called for the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations to take all steps necessary to return the rule of law to Zimbabwe. The ICAB condemned the detention without trial of Eric Matinenga, a Member of Parliament of Zimbabwe and leader of the Harare Bar. The ICAB went on to call for independent legal observers to be permitted to be present in all courts in Zimbabwe throughout the trials of members of the legal profession who are being prosecuted for alleged offences. ICAB demands that the lawyers of Zimbabwe be permitted, without intimidation or penalty, to perform their duty to represent and defend their clients in accordance with the rule of law and ensure the entitlement of their clients to basic human rights. Furthermore, ICAB demands that the magistrates of Zimbabwe be allowed to adjudicate impartially and without intimidation on the cases which come before them. ICAB also demands that the Attorney-General independently and impartially exercise his powers to uphold the rule of law.
Chairman of the Bar Council, Tim Dutton QC said: “It is clear that the rule of law is under an unprecedented assault in Zimbabwe. The Bar Council insists that the lawyers of Zimbabwe be allowed to advise their clients without fear of politically motivated oppression. The government of Zimbabwe is clearly in breach of its obligations under international law, not least with respect to human rights. It is a travesty to call the recent second round run off ‘contest’ in Zimbabwe an election. Elections presuppose that parties argue their case with advocacy rather than violence. The rule of law in Zimbabwe is presently under grave threat.”
The ICAB unanimously resolved to denounce the actions of the government of Zimbabwe in ignoring its human rights obligations under
domestic and international law and called for the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations to take all steps necessary to return the rule of law to Zimbabwe. The ICAB condemned the detention without trial of Eric Matinenga, a Member of Parliament of Zimbabwe and leader of the Harare Bar. The ICAB went on to call for independent legal observers to be permitted to be present in all courts in Zimbabwe throughout the trials of members of the legal profession who are being prosecuted for alleged offences. ICAB demands that the lawyers of Zimbabwe be permitted, without intimidation or penalty, to perform their duty to represent and defend their clients in accordance with the rule of law and ensure the entitlement of their clients to basic human rights. Furthermore, ICAB demands that the magistrates of Zimbabwe be allowed to adjudicate impartially and without intimidation on the cases which come before them. ICAB also demands that the Attorney-General independently and impartially exercise his powers to uphold the rule of law.
Chairman of the Bar Council, Tim Dutton QC said: “It is clear that the rule of law is under an unprecedented assault in Zimbabwe. The Bar Council insists that the lawyers of Zimbabwe be allowed to advise their clients without fear of politically motivated oppression. The government of Zimbabwe is clearly in breach of its obligations under international law, not least with respect to human rights. It is a travesty to call the recent second round run off ‘contest’ in Zimbabwe an election. Elections presuppose that parties argue their case with advocacy rather than violence. The rule of law in Zimbabwe is presently under grave threat.”
AT the World Bar Conference of the International Council of Advocates and Barristers (ICAB) held in Dublin and Belfast from 27th - 30th June 2008, the Bars of Australia, England and Wales, Hong Kong, Ireland, Namibia, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Zimbabwe considered the events currently taking place in Zimbabwe.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
Adele Akers’ reflections on health and wellbeing support at the very junior end of the Bar
Not one to say, ‘I told you so,’ Sam Thomas continues his cyber series with the key learnings from the major supply chain attack affecting 80 law firms and at least one set of chambers at the end of 2023
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Increasing sophistication and frequency of attacks have led many chambers to ask ‘when’ not ‘if’ they will suffer a cyber incident. Simon Davis sets out the factors to consider when renewing your cyber cover
