*/
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.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
