At the heart of the crisis concerning the rule of law in Zimbabwe are the events of 2000 in which commercial farms were invaded by war veterans and others. It is accepted by Government that these occupations are unlawful. The Courts have made orders, to which the State has consented, to bring the occupations to an end. Yet the Government has refused to enforce the orders of Zimbabwe's own courts. The last elections were marked by serious violence.
Violence continues in the country.
The Delegation believes that land reform is urgently needed in Zimbabwe. However, this reform must be brought within the confines of the law. The notion that the laws and judgments of the courts of an independent Zimbabwe can be ignored because of the injustices of pre-independence days is dangerous and misguided. It is through the application of the law, amended in accordance with the sovereign wishes of the people, where necessary, that justice is obtained and not through the encouragement of anarchy and lawlessness. The independence of the judiciary is being undermined by threats to and intimidation of the judges.