Congratulations on featuring Beatrice Mtetwa in your editorial (see [2007] Gazette, 1 November, 14). She and her colleagues are indeed very brave in the face of threats of violence, implied or actual.


I saw her a few days after the attack on her and her colleagues and was horrified at the extent of the bruising inflicted on her, but amazed and humbled at her cheerful demeanour even then.



Perhaps I should not have been surprised. When I had attended the Law Society of Zimbabwe's summer school the previous November, I was told by another member that the young lawyer who won the Human Rights Lawyer of the Year award for 2006 had spent three months in custody for representing his client too effectively.



I was, and still am, amazed at the courage and dignity of all I met. Their good humour and determination in the face of the present situation is an example to all who are proud to call themselves lawyers. I also find it remarkable that they refuse to be critical of their government and, instead, are resolved go on working with the government to try and solve their problems without recriminations and for the benefit of all.



We must all do what we can to support them as their country goes through its present troubles, so that when times become better (as they must), there is still an independent and effective non-partisan legal profession ready to serve their people without fear or favour, upholding the rule of law.



Jeremy Ferguson, Chanter Ferguson, Bideford, Devon