WHEREAS the Canadian Bar Association works with the legal profession in Zimbabwe to support the rule of law and to advance public interest law;
WHEREAS the Government of Zimbabwe has put increasing pressure on the courts in Zimbabwe, in an effort to reduce their ability to act independently;
WHEREAS the Canadian Bar Association has been informed of the serious attacks on the rule of law and the independence of the bar and the judiciary in Zimbabwe;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Bar Association state its support to the citizens of Zimbabwe and the legal profession of Zimbabwe who strive for social progress, equality and democracy through adherence to the rule of law and respect for the judiciary, and urge the Government of Canada:
- to call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to take all necessary steps to honour its commitment to support the rule of law and an independent judiciary and Bar in Zimbabwe; and
- to support the work of human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe and the Law Society of Zimbabwe in their efforts to protect the rights of individuals that have been affected by the decline in the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
Certified true copy of a resolution carried as amended by the Council of the Canadian Bar Association at the Annual Meeting held in Saskatoon, SK, August 11-12, 2001.
John D.V. Hoyles
Executive Director/Directeur exécutif