Lawyers' organisations stepped up their criticism of the Zimbabwean government this week as the International Bar Association (IBA) launched an eight-page advertising campaign in two African newspapers to draw attention to human rights abuses in the country.

The campaign came as the Bar Council published the results of a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe, and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) issued a resolution in support of human rights.



The IBA's advertisement, which appeared in South Africa's Mail & Guardian and Zimbabwe's Independent, was timed to mark international human rights day.



It included articles by leading human rights campaigners in the country, with examples of torture and rape, and photographs of victims of abuse. It is the first time the organisation has employed such a campaign.


IBA executive director Mark Ellis said: 'The enactment by the Zimbabwean regime of the Non-governmental Organisations Bill [which could restrict foreign humanitarian aid], on the eve of international human rights day, shows utter contempt for human rights. We are deeply concerned for the people of Zimbabwe given their government's resolve to deprive them of fundamental freedoms.'


The Bar Council report, based on a visit to Zimbabwe by bar heads from the UK, Ireland and Australia in April, points to a 'pattern of abuse' of the justice system. The delegation conducted interviews with judges and members of the profession. Bar Council chairman Stephen Irwin QC said: 'The judicial system in Zimbabwe has become profoundly compromised over the past four years. The appointment of the higher judiciary is subject to political interference... Judges have been the subject of psychological intimidation and threats of violence.'


Meanwhile, the CCBE this week published a resolution reminding EU institutions that protection of confidentiality between lawyer and client is crucial to human rights.