Maravi

Rupiah accuses LAZ of not defending courts

Rupiah accuses LAZ of not defending courts
Written by Edwin Mbulo and Maluba Jere in Livingstone
Monday, April 27, 2009 3:22:16 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has accused the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) of not coming out strongly to defend the courts and the helpless accused persons from being attacked by civil society organisation and the press. And former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Elijah Banda has said the government needs to consider LAZ as an ally in the quest to develop democratic principles.

During the LAZ gala night at the Zambezi Sun on Saturday, President Banda lashed out at the press and the civil society for commenting on ongoing criminal and civil cases.

“Nowadays, we in government and members of the public are wondering as to what is going on in legal circles. Of late, it has become increasingly common for civil society organisations, the press and some members of the public to comment on ongoing criminal and civil cases. In some cases, the courts of law have been insulted, demonised or scandalised in the press, amid loud silence from the Law Association of Zambia,” he said.

“The Law Association of Zambia has not come out strongly to the defence of the courts and those hopeless and helpless accused persons and parties whose human rights have been violated and their rights to fair trial compromised.”

He urged LAZ not to speak out only when there was perceived infringement or violation by the government.

“It should also speak out against the private sector, the media and members of the public who violate established laws and norms. Otherwise, an impression is given that certain individuals are above the law,” he said.

President Banda further appealed to LAZ, Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education, UNZA and the Ministry of Justice to re-examine the training of lawyers to meet with the latest technological developments.

Earlier on Saturday morning, President Banda and others held a closed door meeting with chief Mukuni at his palace for over two hours.

And former LAZ president Elijah Banda said the law was an important tool and instrument of social change.

“I appeal to your government to consider the Law Association of Zambia as an ally in the quest to develop the democratic principles and justice in our young democracy,” said Banda.

And newly-elected LAZ president Stephen Lungu, who polled 198 votes against his only rival Musa Juma Mwenye’s 106, said LAZ needed to be independent.

“Everything is now behind us. We need to be more formidable as LAZ. As long as we are lawyers, we need to be independent,” said Lungu. And Kafunya Mbindo was elected vice-president of LAZ after polling 193 votes against Tom Trevor Shamakamba’s 135.

Labels: ELIJAH BANDA, LAZ, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:23 PM