The Law Society has launched a £100,000 appeal to help fund the work of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ), as reports come in of further attacks on the rule of law in the southern African country.


The money raised will finance facilities - such as law books, Internet access and pro bono support - for LSZ members in five regional centres, provide transport for LSZ staff and council members to maintain contact with their members, and fund continuing legal education. It will also be used to pay for travel expenses so that LSZ members can attend hearings at the African Court and other legal institutions.



The appeal will be managed in tandem with the Law Society Charity, and it is hoped that the target funds will be raised by the end of the year.



Law Society President Andrew Holroyd described the LSZ as 'a vital voice'. He said: 'Given the speed with which the justice system in Zimbabwe has collapsed over the space of only a few years, the strengthening of the rule of law is a top priority.'



News of the fund-raising initiative followed a presentation given by Beatrice Mtetwa, president of the LSZ, at Chancery Lane last week. Ms Mtetwa told delegates that young people were still entering the profession in Zimbabwe, but were 'steering clear of human rights because it was perceived as a dangerous choice of law [to practise].'



Salary expectations were low and falling, with rampant inflation having eroded lawyers' salaries to about £10 per month, while other degree-qualified people were struggling on half that figure.



Ms Mtetwa added that there was 'a huge skills flight', with many lawyers leaving the country for Botswana, Namibia or South Africa.



Describing how the police had assaulted her and her colleagues earlier this year, she said: 'Government-sanctioned harassment is routine. My predecessor, Sternford Moyo, was arrested and thrown in jail three years ago, and lots of LSZ staff have been bullied into resigning.'



On a more positive note, she said: 'Right now lawyers have won the admiration of the community because we are one of the only professions to have stood up against the current crisis. We have challenged oppressive legislation and have opposed all government moves to take away the constitutional rights of ordinary citizens, as well as activists.'



She urged delegates to 'keep the Zimbabwe story alive' by continuing to provide support and encouragement 'so that we know we are not alone'.



Jonathan Rayner