News
Morrisons supports lawyers in Zimbabwe
Morrisons has recently made a donation of £500 to the Law Society Zimbabwe Appeal fund. The appeal was launched by the Law Society of England & Wales to help the Law Society of Zimbabwe in their struggle to uphold their rule of law.
The president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, Beatrice Mtetwa, has recently launched a report: Self Regulation at Crossroads – Attacks on lawyers and Independence of the Legal Profession in Zimbabwe.
The report details the persecution of members of the legal profession through threats, surveillance, torture and violence. Several incidents are referred to in the report; particularly shocking is reference to riot police chasing and beating Beatrice Mtetwa on May 8 2007.
The report further catalogues the tremendous personal efforts of lawyers to maintain the legal system and the challenges they are facing, including denial of access to their clients, confiscation of their files and intimidation. A propaganda campaign against lawyers is highlighted.
The Law Society Zimbabwe Appeal fund will be used to help the Law Society of Zimbabwe establish and equip 5 regional offices, providing facilities for members to consult legal books, use the internet and obtain support for pro bono cases. Funding of support training and travel for staff and members is also contemplated.
Morrisons has seen its client base with southern African connections increase steadily over recent years and is proud to have made a donation to this important cause and to support the Zimbabwean Law Society in upholding the rights of Zimbabwean citizens. One of our Partners, Paul Harvey, visited Zimbabwe in the summer of 2006 and witnessed at first hand the plight of the people there. Paul was part of a team which was involved in a number of different projects seeking to improve the quality of life of different groups in and around Harare including orphanages, old people’s homes and local churches, and provided essential resources. Many of the staff of Morrisons gave generously at the time to support these projects.
You can make your own donation online at http://www.justgiving.com/lawsocietycharity/donate.