Zimbabwe: Joint Statement Concerning the Judgement Against Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa

1. We, the undersigned non-governmental  organizations  and individuals note with grave concern the decision of the Zimbabwean Magistrates' Court to disqualify Beatrice Mtetwa from continuing as defence legal counsel for journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, who is currently being tried on charges of inciting public violence. The Magistrates' Court also ordered the Prosecutor General to consider instituting proceedings of contempt of  court  against  Beatrice Mtetwa.

2. The Magistrates Court's decision was made at the instance of an application by the state for Beatrice Mtetwa's disqualification on grounds that she had made certain public statements  which  the state perceived as showing that she was no longer an objective officer of the court in the legal matter. It is alleged that Beatrice Mtetwa authored and or authorized the publication of the following statement on a Facebook page titled "Beatrice Mtetwa and The Rule of Law":

"Where is the outrage from the international  community  that Hopewell Chin'ono is being held as a political prisoner? His life is in serious peril. Raise awareness about his unlawful imprison ment. Do not let him to be forgotten. You or someone you love could be the next one abducted from your home and put in leg irons."

3. We note that Beatrice Mtetwa testified before the court that she has no control over the said Facebook page and therefore,  did  not author or authorize the said publications. She is not listed as an administrator of the said Facebook page.

4. We strongly believe that, even if a lawyer were to make the statements which Beatrice Mtetwa is alleged to have made, such statements are protected under the right to freedom of expression. This right is guaranteed in section 61 of the Constitution of  Zimbabwe, article 19 (2) of the International  Civil  and  Political Rights (ICCPR) and article 9(2) of the African  Charter  on  Human and Peoples' Rights (African Charter).

5. Further, in terms of Principle 23 of the United Nations Basic  Principles on the Role of Lawyers (UN Basic Principles):

"Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights..."

6. By disqualifying Beatrice Mtetwa, the court has undermined the accused person (Hopewell Chin'ono)'s right to legal representation, which is guaranteed in section 70(1) (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, article 14(3) (b) of the ICCPR and article 7(1) of the African Chart er. Subsequently, this  undermines  the  accused per son's right to a fair trial.

7. We therefore express our concern over this judgment as it undermines not just Beatrice Mtetwa's right to  practice  law  but  it has a chilling effect on the exercise of many other associated rights including the right to freedom of expression for lawyers, the accused persons' right to legal representation as well as the right to fair trial. Ordinarily, courts must be the shield that protects these rights rather than being the sword that destroys fundamental rights.

8. We call on the Zimbabwean authorities to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone, including Beatrice Mtetwa's right to freedom of expression and to practice her profession, the right of the accused to fair trial including legal representation. There is no justice without freedom and the rule of law.

Organisations:

1. ABANTU for Development, West Africa
2. Africa Centre for Development Alternatives
3. Africa Judges and Jurists Forum
4. African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
5. African Defenders (Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network)
6. African Men for Sexual Health and Rights
7. African Women's Development and Communication Network
8. Agrarian South Network
9. Amalgamated Rural Teacher's Union of Zimbabwe
10. Amnesty International
11. Cameroon Women's Peace Movement
12. Centre for Democracy and Development (Mozambique)
13. Centre for Applied Legal Studies
14. Centre for Human Rights, Education, and Advice and Assistance
15. Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
16. Chapter One Foundation
17. CIDH-Network of Independent Commission For Human Rights
18. Coalition of African Lesbians
19. Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations
20. Defenders Coalition Kenya
21. Democratic Governance and Rights Unit
22. DITSHWANELO- The Botswana Centre for  Human Rights
23. Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Coalition
24. Expression Now Human Rights Initiative
25. Freedom House
26. Femme Defenseuse des Droits Humains - FDDH
27. Gender Centre for Empowering Development
28. Girl Child Network (Uganda)
29. House of Justice
30. Human Right Concern
31. Human Rights Defenders Coalition
32. Human Rights Defenders Network - SL
33. Human Rights Enforcement Foundation (Uganda)
34. Human Rights Institute of South Africa
35. Human Rights Watch
36. International Commission of Jurists (Kenya Section)
37. International Refugee Rights Initiative
38. Ithemba For Girls Trust
39. Justice Access Point (Uganda)
40. Kenya Human Rights Commission
41. LAWA Ghana Alumnae Inc.
42. Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana
43. National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders-Uganda
44. Network of Independent Commission for Human Rights in Northern Africa
45. Network for Women's Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT)
46. Open Bar Initiative-Nigeria
47. Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
48. Pan African Lawyers Union
49. Panos Institute Southern Africa
50. Reseau Quest Africain des defenseurs des droits humains (ROADDH)
51. SADC Lawyers Association
52. Samburu Women Trust
53. Shalupe Foundation
54. Sonke Gender Justice
55. South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network
56. Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
57. Southern Africa Litigation Centre
58. Southern Africa Network Against Corruption
59. Success Capital Organisation
60. Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition
61. Women's Manifesto Coalition, Ghana
62. West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
63. Zambia Council for Social Development
64. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
65. Zimbabwe National Students Union

Individuals:

1. Achieng Akena
2. Alice Mogwe
3. Angela Quintal
4. Arnold Tsunga
5. Bella Matambanadzo
6. Chikosa Banda
7. Colleta Pamba
8. Constance Vimbai Mukarati
9. Corlett Letlojane
10. Dewa Mavhinga
11. Donald Deya
12. Dr. Justice Alfred Mavedzenge
13. Dr. Musa Kika
14. Dr. Rose Nakayi
15. Dr Walter Chambati
16. Evelyn Chijarira
17. Gloria Mabeiam Ballason
18. Grace Kumwenda
19. Gregory Chifire
20. Hardlife Mudzingwa
21. Happy Mhango
22. Janah Ncube
23. Justice Willy Mutunga, Former Chief Justice of Kenya 2013- 2017
24. Juliana Zhanje
25. Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh
26. Kelvin Kabaya
27. Kwemara Kafuuzi
28. Leah Mitaba
29. Lloyd Kuveya
30. Makanatsa Makonese
31. Mamukeleni Tsunga
32. Martin Okumu-Masiga
33. Mooya L. Nyaundi
34. Muchengeti Hwacha
35. Muleya Mwananyanda
36. Muzi Masuku
37. Nancy Njenge
38. Nikiwe Kaunda
39. Norman Tjombe
40. Otto Saki
41. Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu
42. Professor Danwood Chirwa
43. Professor Dzodzi Tsikata
44. Professor Hugh Corder
45. Professor Issa Shivji
46. Professor Michela Hansungule
47. Professor Paris Yeros
48. Professor Praveen Jha
49. Professor Reg Austin
50. Professor Adriano Alfredo Nuvunga
51. Robson Ruhanya
52. Robson Chere
53. Sandeep Chachra
54. Sheila Minkah-Premo
55. Simphiwe Sidu
56. Tamuka Brian Kagoro
57. Teresa Mugadza
58. Thoko Matshe
59. Thulani Mswelanto
60. Tiseke Kasambala
61. Vanja Karth
62. Victor Mhango
63. Vusumuzi Sifile
64. Washington Katema
65. Wesley Mwafulirwa
66. Yao Graham