Zimbabwe: Drama at Kwekwe magistrates courts

April 29, 2019

There was drama at Kwekwe magistrates courts on Thursday afternoon where a local lawyer was reportedly denied access to talk to his client who had been arrested by the police for an alleged foreign currency dealing.

The lawyer Lenon Mapfumo from Marufu Misi Law Chambers was allegedly bared from seeing his client Larry Munashe who was detained at Kwekwe Central Police by the two detective constables only identified as Bvaure and Chitima respectively.

When the lawyer was on his way to the police station he encountered the two police details at Kwekwe magistrates Court.

When the lawyer inquired about the reason and whereabouts of his client  demanding to see his client in line with Section 70 1 (d) of the Constitution  of Zimbabwe  which confers a right on people to be legally represented by lawyers of their own choice. A scuff ensued at the court premises.

The officers threatened to arrest Mapfumo for disturbing their peace but Mapfumo did not budge they tried to handcuff him and he resisted drawing the attention of people at the court.

Court business was brought to halt as Mapfumo wrestled with the two detectives who had to use maximum force by pinning him on the ground and dragging him to the police station.

…

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-161487.html

http://www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk/2019/04/cops-arrest-lawyer-at-court.html

India: Lawyer shot at, bullet hits driver’s seat in Greater Noida

April 30, 2019

A family lawyer was shot at by two unidentified men on Monday morning near the district court in Surajpur area of Greater Noida…

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/lawyer-shot-at-bullet-hits-drivers-seat/articleshow/69104690.cms

Pakistan/USA/The Netherlands: Lawyer of Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi Nominated For Rights Award

April 30, 2019

Lawyer Saif-ul-Malook, who prevented the execution of a Pakistani Christian woman, has been nominated by several European Parliamentarians for a top rights award. Legislators say the lawyer should receive the Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award for his courage in defending Asia Bibi, who faced the death penalty in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy against Islam.

In November 2018, he fled Pakistan because of death threats from Islamists after Pakistan’s Supreme Court decided to acquit Bibi from all accusations of blasphemy.

When the Supreme Court decided to review the acquittal, Saif-ul-Malook returned to Pakistan to represent Bibi. “The courage Saif has shown in the whole case is remarkable,” said Dutchman Peter van Dalen of the ChristianUnion-SGP faction in the European Parliament. His office told BosNewsLife that several other European lawmakers also nominated the lawyer including Manfred Weber, the chairman of the influential European Peoples Party, and other parliamentarians.

The Four Freedoms Awards are presented annually to those showing a significant commitment to one of four principles proclaimed by late U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt as essential to democracy: ‘freedom of speech and expression,’ ‘freedom of worship,’ ‘freedom from want’ and ‘freedom from fear.’

SPECIAL PRIZE

The prize is given in alternate years in New York City by the Roosevelt Institute to Americans and in Middelburg, The Netherlands, by the Roosevelt Foundation to non-Americans. Legislators nominate Saif-ul-Malook under the ‘freedom of fear’ category because of “the great courage” he showed while defending Bibi, explained Van Dalen. “Despite the tensions surrounding the case and the threats to himself and his family, Saif-ul-Malook stood firm. He ensured that Asia Bibi had a strong defense”, Van Dalen he said in a statement.

Van Dalen described the lawyer as “a modern-day Good Samaritan and an example of how we can help each other regardless of differences in our religions or beliefs” and added that it “is an honor to represent him for this prize.”

…

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/head-line-news-details/7096

Lawyer of Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi Nominated For Rights Award

Asia Bibi’s Lawyer Nominated for Prestigious Human Rights Award

https://www.fourfreedoms.nl/en/awards.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Bibi_blasphemy_case

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Freedoms_Award

https://www.rd.nl/vandaag/binnenland/advocaat-bibi-genomineerd-voor-prijs-1.1564671 (NEDERLAND)

https://www.nd.nl/nieuws/geloof/advocaat-van-asia-bibi-genomineerd-voor.3360052.lynkx (NEDERLAND)

https://www.fourfreedoms.nl/ (NEDERLAND)

http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/magazine/2019/04/24/blasfema-la-storia-di-asia-bibi_51418d53-2981-4d66-8e0f-4cedd4ea8930.html (ITALIANO)

Saif Ul Malook, de advocaat van de Pakistaanse christen Asia Bibi, is door Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie-SGP) en drie andere Europarlementariërs genomineerd voor de Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award. https://t.co/Zd1G3nMFfV

— Nederlands Dagblad (@ndnl) April 29, 2019

Lawyer of persecuted #Pakistan Christian #AsiaBibi nominated for the European Parliament’s Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award. Saif Ul Malook was praised for courage to return to Pakistan where he defended Bibi against death sentence-carrying charges of blasphemy.
via – @BosNewsLife pic.twitter.com/iTsUmF83X3

— Voice of Pakistan Minority (@voice_minority) April 29, 2019

Johan Witteveen oud Laureaat Freedom from Want overleden – Four Freedoms Awards https://t.co/zoPaFL1R2l

— Roosevelt Foundation (@Four_Freedoms) April 29, 2019

Asia Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul-Malook is an incredibly brave man who has courageously defended his client, and thereby put his own life in terrible danger. He deserves every human rights award going. https://t.co/SFWKacDUQv

— Matthew Scott (@Barristerblog) May 2, 2019

Saif Ul Malook risked so much as the lawyer advocating for #AsiaBibi against blaphemy in #Pakistan. He was forced to leave after winning her acquittal but had the courage to return to win her vindication. She is still held captive but he did all he could & deserves this award. https://t.co/J7lYQKuAhm

— blueshawk (@blueshawk) April 29, 2019

China: Rights lawyer Tang Jingling released after 5 years imprisonment

April 29, 2019

Human rights lawyer #TangJingling @ginlian is released today after serving 5 years' imprisonment for "inciting subversion of state power". Still concerned that he's under surveillance after being released. https://t.co/5aqIbstVc0

— Patrick Poon☘️ 潘嘉偉 (@patrickpoon) April 29, 2019

CSW welcomes the release of human rights lawyer and social activist Tang Jingling today after serving five years in prison, however he should never have been detained in the first place.

— CSWPress (@CSWPress) April 29, 2019

https://www.ktsf.com/2019/04/29/china-activist-lawyer-tang-jingling-released-from-jail/ (CHINESE)

https://www.ucanews.com/news/where-is-gao-zhisheng/85031

Fear of China: Huawei and the Rule of Law

Tunisia: Tunisie – L’avocat Seifeddine Makhlouf auditionné pour outrage au procureur de la République de Sidi Bouzid

le 29 avril, 2019

L’avocat Seifeddine Makhlouf a été, dernièrement auditionné par la justice, en rapport avec ses déclarations outrageantes envers le procureur de la République de Sidi Bouzid, sur fond de l’affaire de l’école coranique du Regueb. Le dossier sera, bientôt transféré devant un tribunal compétent pour statuer sur son cas.

Concernant la traduction de Makhlouf devant le conseil de discipline, décidée par l’ordre des avocats, aucune date n’a encore été fixée.

https://www.tunisienumerique.com/tunisie-lavocat-seifeddine-makhlouf-auditionne-pour-outrage-au-procureur-de-la-republique-de-sidi-bouzid/

Tunisie – L’avocat Seifeddine Makhlouf auditionné pour outrage au procureur de la République de Sidi Bouzid

https://www.tunisienumerique.com/tunisie-enquete-judiciaire-a-lencontre-de-lavocat-seifeddine-makhlouf/

https://www.realites.com.tn/2019/02/lordre-des-avocats-se-mobilise-a-lencontre-de-seifeddine-makhlouf/

http://www.webdo.tn/2019/02/04/amt-les-agissements-de-seifeddine-makhlouf-nhonorent-pas-les-avocats/

Zimbabwe: Police arrest and release Coltart

April 29, 2019

The Zimbabwe Republic Police on Sunday arrested Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyer Douglas Coltart and charged him with Participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry.

Announcing on a video posted on social media on Sunday Coltart said, “I have been called for questioning at Harare Central Police this morning in connection with the meeting yesterday from which 4 teachers were abducted and beaten by CIO and later handed over to the police. Would appreciate your prayers.”

The Code says that the crime of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, a breach of the peace or bigotry is committed whether the action constituting it is spontaneous or planned in advance, and whether the place or meeting where it occurred is public or private.

The human rights lawyer was however released together with the four teachers after the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights dispatched a team of legal representatives to assist in the matter.

“I’ve been released after being charged with section 37 of the Criminal Code along with Roboh, Precious, Munya and Jess.” Coltart later said in an update. “Thank you ZLHR for the excellent legal representation from Denford Halimani and Tino Shoko. Aluta Continua!”

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-161490.html

Police arrest Human Rights Lawyer Douglas Coltart

Home

https://www.facebook.com/ZimbabweLawyersforHumanRights/

Canada/Iran: Canadian Parliamentarians call on Iran to release Nasrin Sotoudeh

April 29, 2019

Parliamentarians signed an open letter (https://t.co/YpfOcAKd9d) calling on #Iran to release #NasrinSotoudeh detained in Iran since June 2018 + sentenced to 38 years in prison & 148 lashes for defending women’s rights. We re-opened the letter for signature due to demand. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/JbVhvcjBv1

— Marilou McPhedran (@SenMarilou) April 29, 2019

Les parlementaires ont signé une lettre ouverte (https://t.co/srHwzgnHkB) appelant l'#Iran à libérer #NasrinSotoudeh, détenue en Iran depuis juin 2018 + condamnée à 38 ans de prison et 148 coups de fouet pour défendre droits des femmes. Rouvert lettre à cause de demande. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/kNWuC2UOdA

— Marilou McPhedran (@SenMarilou) April 29, 2019

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ckf52JXg8VEBSK23V6f4Ket7cYtyxedS/view

Human Rights Lawyer Sentenced To 148 Lashes And 38 Years In Prison In Iran

The Iranian Regime’s Crackdown on Women Activists (April 30)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasrin_Sotoudeh

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ICJRYPe8HMdeGrWxbEX3y6bNudf4kCa/view (FRANCAIS)

https://information.tv5monde.com/terriennes/freenasrin-l-avocate-iranienne-nasrin-sotoudeh-toujours-en-prison-297390?fbclid=IwAR2ngA-Lg58Qks7cina02CBJXEQP5Fzj7ItPLFPGrhnSbJLeap1n9eTkET0 (FRANCAIS)

https://letempstg.com/2019/04/29/amnesty-international-plaide-pour-la-liberation-de-sotoudeh/ (FRANCAIS)

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_T%C3%A9h%C3%A9ran (FRANCAIS)

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasrin_Sotoudeh (FRANCAIS)

https://www.spiegel.de/plus/sie-wollen-uns-muerbemachen-a-4c345e6f-d778-41bc-a55d-b16eda7eb8fa (DEUTSCH)

https://www.cicero.de/kultur/antifa-kopftuch-meinungsfreiheit-islam (DEUTSCH)

https://diepresse.com/home/meinung/quergeschrieben/schurian/5620186/38-Jahre-Haft-148-Peitschenhiebe_Kein-Fall-fuer-Frauensolidaritaet (DEUTSCH)

https://www.spiegel.de/plus/mann-von-nasrin-sotoudeh-sie-wollen-uns-muerbemachen-a-4c345e6f-d778-41bc-a55d-b16eda7eb8fa (DEUTSCH)

http://www.ansa.it/basilicata/notizie/2019/05/02/nastrini-rossi-per-nasrin-sotoudeh_7ac76b1f-ac5c-4e20-9514-ac524ed6c9d6.html (ITALIANO)

https://www.advocatenblad.nl/2019/04/30/bijna-3100-euro-gedoneerd-voor-iraanse-advocaat-sotoudeh/ (NEDERLAND)

https://lajk.iprima.cz/viraly/slavna-zastankyne-lidskych-prav-byla-odsouzena-k-148-ranam-bicema-38-letum-vezeni-co-provedla (CZECH)

#FreeNasrin

Foto v journalist #Keyvan_Samimi (links vd prominante mensenrechtenadvocaat #Nasrin_Sotoudeh, ook momenteel opgesloten in de gevangenis door het Iraanse regime voor haar mensenrechtenwerk) na zijn vrijlating uit d gevangenis. Hij was opgesloten voor 6 jaar. #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/PgjHZKNnEJ

— Bijan (@Bijan63) May 1, 2019

Please support #NasrinSotoudeh again tomorrow (Fri) 1-2 pm at #Iranian embassy, Mt Merrion Ave, Dublin, Ireland. Brave human rights defender of women objecting to forced #hijab in #Iran sentenced to 33 years and 148 lashes #WhiteWednesdays #MyCameraIsMyWeapon #MyStealthyFreedom pic.twitter.com/duAwpZMBMA

— Jill Nesbitt (@nesbitt_jill) May 2, 2019

NASTRINI ROSSI PER NASRIN SOTOUDEH: L’AVVOCATA IRANIANA SOCIA ONORARIA DELLA CAMERA PENALE DELLA BASILICATAhttps://t.co/yG693bMyVN

— SassiLive (@SassiLive) May 2, 2019

Ansa #News #Basilicata: Nastrini rossi per Nasrin Sotoudeh -> https://t.co/awc7hMeRat

— Explore Basilicata (@BasilicataBT) May 2, 2019