UN RIGHTS EXPERT WELCOMES WITHDRAWAL OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE IN ZIMBABWE

3 July 2003






The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Dato’ Param Cumaraswamy, today welcomed the withdrawal of all criminal charges against retired Judge Fergus Blackie by the public prosecutor in Zimbabwe. “This is a step in the right direction towards respect for the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Zimbabwe”, the Special Rapporteur said.

The Special Rapporteur urges the public prosecutor to similarly withdraw the criminal charge preferred against Justice Benjamin Paradza on 18 February 2003 for alleged obstruction of justice.

On two previous occasions (press releases on 24 September 2002 and 19 February 2003), the Special Rapporteur has expressed grave concerns over the criminal charges brought against Judge Blackie and Justice Paradza and their implications on judicial independence and the rule of law in Zimbabwe.

On 19 February, the Special Rapporteur said, among other things, “What is common and very conspicuous about the alleged charges against Justice Paradza and retired Judge Blackie is that the principle witnesses to prove the alleged charges, would be fellow judges. This is pitting judges against judges and setting the members of the judiciary on a collision course between what will be seen as the independents and the complaints…”.

The Special Rapporteur will continue to monitor developments in Zimbabwe on the rule of law and independence of judges and lawyers.




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