Human rights lawyers blast police harassment
By Takawira Samuel
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has accused the police of intimidating Beatrice Mtetwa, a top human rights lawyer arrested Sunday morning on dubious allegations of ‘obstructing the course of justice’.
During a press conference held in the city after the arrest, Precious Chakasikwa , the Deputy chairperson for the ZLHR said that they will not be shaken by the intimidation of some of its members by the police.
“We are here today as Beatrice’s peers, colleagues, friends and allies to let these forces know that human rights lawyers will not be intimidated, will not bow, and will not allow this to happen. We continue to stand by our Board member, we believe that she will be vindicated and the world is watching and can see these violators and their actions.
These retrogressive forces believe that such tactics will intimidate Beatrice and have a chilling effect on other human rights lawyers who continue to soldier on bravely in representing all manner of human rights defenders who have suffered serious rights violations, ” she said.
Chakasikwa went on to say that the state should protect legal practitioners.
“State institutions and actors must understand that lawyers are officers of the court. They have rights to carry out their professional duties without hindrance and these rights should be understood and respected,” she added.
Mtetwa spent a third night in prison despite a High Court order for her release. She arrested on Sunday while representing four officials of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party who were being searched by police without a search warrant.
On Tuesday Mtetwa arrived at the Harare magistrate’s court in an open-back police truck. She greeted colleagues and activists with a spirited wave but was not allowed to speak to reporters.
