Gabriel M. Machinga
High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to Canada
332 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K2P OJ9

Dear Mr. Machinga,

I write on behalf of ICJ Canada, at the direction of President Ed Ratushny, Q.C., to express our concern in relation to recent events in Zimbabwe which mark an ongoing decay in rule of law and a total undermining of attempts by individuals to pursue justice.

I refer you to the enclosed April!, 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 questionable exercise of government authority.

We ask you to account for these recent events and explain how the erosion of rule of law in Zimbabwe is to be reconciled with your country's status as an orderly society.

We would appreciate your prompt reaction to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact our office as needed.

Sincerely
David Aaron
Correspondent

cc:

Hon. Bill Graham
c/o Pratima Rao, Special Assistant
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
Harare - Zimbabwe

Mr. Patrick Chinarnasa
Minister of Justice,
Causeway - Zimbabwe

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

Ms. Louise Dowald-Beck, ICJ

Mr. Simon Potter, President
Canadian Bar Association

Ed Ratushny, Q.C., President, ICJ Canada
Chinarnasa
Justice,
Zimbabwe