Zimbabwe : proposed constitutional reforms latest blow to the rule of law
The ICJ today called on Parliament to reject a constitutional amendment bill that would seriously reduce constitutional freedoms and protections in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: unprecedented call for UN and AU action over evictions by 200 rights groups
A coalition of more than 200 African and international NGOs today issued an unprecedented Joint Appeal to the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) to help the people of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: judicial rulings must be respected
In a further blow to the independence of the judiciary, the Zimbabwean Government ignored two judicial rulings and used State-controlled media to attack magistrates, the ICJ said today.
Zimbabwe: charges against Judge Blackie dropped
The ICJ welcomed the Prosecution’s decision to withdraw charges against Fergus Blackie (photo), a retired Zimbabwean judge accused of corruption and obstructing the due administration of justice.
Former Judge Blackie was arrested in September 2002, two months after his retirement, and spent three nights in prison.
The former judge was facing charges after he acquitted a white woman accused of theft and sentenced the Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, to a three-month term of imprisonment for contempt of court. According to various national and international observers, the charges against Blackie, who is white, were politically and racially motivated. He was also seen as being too “independent”.
“The ICJ hopes this decision will be the beginning of full respect for human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe”, said Linda Besharaty-Movaed, Legal Advisor of the ICJ. “We believe this is just a small step in the right direction, however, more changes are needed. With the ongoing trials of Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition party, who is accused of treason, and Judge Paradza, who is charged with corruption, the eyes of the international community will more than ever be on Zimbabwe”.
The ICJ sent a trial observer to monitor the trial of former Judge Blackie, however, charges were withdrawn prior to the hearing. The ICJ is also monitoring the trials of Morgan Tsvangirai and Judge Paradza.
Zimbabwe-charges judge-press release-2003-eng (full text, PDF)
Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, E/CN.4/2003/75/Add.1, February 27, 2003: Zimbabwe
648. In August 2001 the Sexual Offenses Act was enacted, which improved the legal recourses available to women. […] Unfortunately, the same Act also criminalizes same-sex acts. Link to full text of the...Recent News
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