Lawyers demonstrate against Constitutional Amendment Bill

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 August, 2005

A group of about 40 lawyers hit the streets of Harare on Wednesday to demonstrate against the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill #17 which the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights believe is the single greatest challenge Zimbabweans have ever faced. Among other things , the bill seeks to amend the constitution and give powers to the government to deny any court challenges to many aspects of the freedoms of association and movement, establish a new senate and block any challenges to the acquisition of land by the government.

On the programme In the Balance with Gugulethu Moyo, ZLHR director Arnold Tsunga said the police had attempted to block them from demonstrating, but they were reminded that only notification was required by law. Tsunga said the police ended up providing an escort in the form of CIO operatives following them.

The lawyers had placards and pamphlets which they distributed to the public to encourage them to resist the government efforts to encroach on their rights. At the Supreme court, justices had instructed the police not allow the lawyers access to present their petition. A copy for the speaker of parliament was given to a security official at the parliament building.