Nov 16, 2019 | News
The ICJ, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), convened a two-day workshop on 14-15 November 2019. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacities of investigators and prosecutors to effectively investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.
The Deputy Chairperson of ZACC Mr Kuziva Murapa, noted that the training as meant to impart critical skills to the investigators and prosecutors in the fight against corruption. He noted further that the two institutions were being trained together so as to exchange knowledge and create a common understanding of standards and techniques to be applied when handling corruption matters. Noting that the Commission‘s powers include cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, Mr Murapa urged ZACC and NPA to cooperate in the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.
The training workshop is part of the ICJ’s in-country programming which aims to increase transparency and integrity in the justice delivery in order to increase access to justice for all especially women and marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
This training workshop focuses on crimes associated with corruption, evidence gathering, expert evidence, understanding forensic audit reports, criminal procedure, the importance of closing submissions, regional and international standards for combatting corruption and asset forfeiture.
The participants for this meeting included; 20 investigating officers and 20 prosecutors stationed in Harare. Overall, there were 20 female and 23 male participants in attendance at the workshop.
Aug 21, 2019 | News
The ICJ in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), today launched a broad base anti-corruption awareness campaign in Harare.
The campaign was introduced by the President of Zimbabwe H.E. Cde Emmerson D. Mnangagwa and is expect to effectively run for 15 months.
It will harness different forms of media to spread awareness on the negative impact corruption has on the rule of law, human rights and development.
The anti-corruption awareness campaign is part of a broader longstanding rule of law initiative by the ICJ in collaboration with with stakeholders in the justice sector, to strengthen the rule of law for the protection and promotion of human rights for all, including women and persons from marginalized or disadvantaged groups.
Corruption undermines the rule of law by impeding access to justice through diversions of public resources for private gain.
As such the ICJ, through the support of the EU, is working towards increased transparency and integrity in the justice delivery system in order to increase access to justice for all.
“Zimbabwe has no option but to fight corruption if it is to be a just, peaceful and successful developmental state,” said Arnold Tsunga, ICJ’s Africa Regional Director.
“The reconstituted ZACC has demonstrated a strong desire to pursue its mandate with renewed commitment from other stakeholders in the justice delivery chain,” he added.
The campaign is not undertaken in isolation. It builds on other initiatives to combat corruption under this programme, which include the establishment of an anti-corruption court, training of personnel for the court and various research initiatives.
The campaign seeks to support the national efforts against corruption, and sensitize the public on the negative effects of corruption in society.
It will promote awareness on how to report corrupt practices, how to avoid corrupt practices and the impact of corruption on the public interest.
The campaign acknowledges that different sections of the population engage with media in varying manners. As such it utilises a wide array of approaches designed to build the optimism of the people of Zimbabwe to take an active role in efforts to combat corruption at every level of society.
The campaign launch was attended by justice sector actors, civil society representatives, business representatives and the diplomatic.
Contact:
Arnold Tsunga, Director of the Africa Regional Programme, International Commission of Jurists C: +263 77 728 3248, E: arnold.tsunga(a)icj.org
Sep 10, 2018 | Events, News
The legal profession plays a crucial role in ensuring access to justice for all, transparency and accountability of the state, Rule of law and the respect for human rights.
Yet, instead of being perceived as a vital player to the justice sector, today lawyers are often targeted by the governments in many OSCE countries for seeking truth and justice. As a result, lawyers often face high risks of persecution, harassment as well as severe sanctions for doing their job.
This side-event aims to specifically discuss the situation of lawyers in Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. The discussion will extend to consider the latest developments related to the rights of lawyers and their independence in the respective countries, and what impact this has on the overall rule of law and human rights situation.
This side event will take place on 12 September 2018, from 13.00 -15.00 at Hotel Bristol, Warsaw
Moderator: Jurate Guzeviciute, Programme Lawyer, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute
Presentations and Discussions:
Independence of the legal profession and harassment of lawyers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia:
- Tajikistan: Dilrabo Samadova, lawyer, Tajikistan
- Azerbaijan: Nijat Mammadbayli, lawyer, Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan: Snezhanna Kim, lawyer, Kazakhstan
- Russia: Róisín Pillay, Director of the Europe Regional Programme, International Commission of Jurists
- Belarus: Anne Souléliac, Head of the Human Rights section, Paris Bar Association
Organizers: Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OSCE, Permanent Representation of France to the OSCE, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, Paris Bar Association, International Commission of Jurists.
Poland-HDIM_Side event-News-event-2018-ENG (flyer of the event in PDF)
