April 9, 2003

Hon. Bill Graham
c/o Pratima Rao, Special Assistant
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tower A, 10m Floor
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA 002

Dear Mr. Graham,

Re: Zimbabwe

Thank for your letter of November 13,2003, outlining Canada's position on the deterioration of the Zimbabwean judicial system. We are grateful for the actions taken by the Canadian government in that regard.

I write again on behalf of ICJ Canada, at the direction of President Ed Ratushny, Q.C., to bring your attention to recent events in Zimbabwe which constitute a further decay in rule of law and a total undermining of attempts by individuals to pursue justice.

I refer you to the enclosed April 1, 2003, letter from ICJ Secretary-General, Louise Doswald-Beck, with which we are in strong agreement. The letter addresses an incident of a lawyer being detained and beaten by Zimbabwean authorities for her attempts to represent a photojournalist.

Further to the obvious human rights concerns that arise out of violence in Zimbabwe, we are particularly shocked by the beating of a lawyer in relation to her efforts to represent an individual detainee. Such actions by Zimbabwean authorities threaten to deter brave individuals from seeking judicial oversight over the tyrannical exercise of government authority that is becoming increasingly prevalent.

We urge the Canadian government to register a categorical objection in relation to these recent events and to take aoorooriate follow-up measures.

We trust that your prompt reaction to this matter will ensure Canada's international role in protecting the delicate fabric of orderly society. Please do not hesitate to contact our office as needed.

David Aaron
Correspondent

cc:

Mr. Gabriel M. Machinga
High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to Canada

H.E. Ambassador Boniface B. Chidyausiku
Permanent Mission of Zimbabwe to the UN

Mr. Kembo Mohadi
Minister of Home Affairds
Harare - Zimbabwe

Mr. Augustine Chihuri
Commissioner of Police
Harare - Zimbabwe

Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
Harare - Zimbabwe

Mr. Patrick Chinamasa
Minister of Justice,
Causeway - Zimbabwe

Ms. Louise Dowald-Beck, ICJ

Mr. Simon Potter, President
Canadian Bar Association

Ed Ratushny, Q.C., President,
ICJ Canada