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The WJP is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to advance the rule of law worldwide.
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We engage advocates from across the globe and from multiple work disciplines to advance the rule of law.
Providing access to justice is the lifework of human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, rule of law heroine, and the face of Zimbabwe's legal governance crisis, as depicted in feature documentary film "Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law." In spite of beatings by police, Beatrice Mtetwa has courageously defended in court those jailed by the Mugabe government — peace activists, journalists, opposition candidates, farmers that had their land confiscated, ordinary citizens that had the courage to speak up.
WJP has held several public screenings of the film, across the United States and internationally. Most recently, Ms. Mtetwa and Director Lorie Conway presented the film to participants at a packed showing during World Justice Forum IV, in The Hague, Netherlands.
Last Thursday, Robert Mugabe was re-inaugurated as president of Zimbabwe. In this update from the United States Institute of Peace, Thomas Omestad writes about the film in the context of President Mugabe's reelection.
The conduct of the elections, as well as the regime’s zeal in prosecuting Mtetwa, increase the importance of the film’s message of nonviolent but tenacious pursuit of rule of law, Conway says. “Beatrice and her colleagues all need to be supported by the international community. They need to be remembered now more than ever. The world is watching.”
> Read the article: Zimbabwe’s—and Mtetwa’s—Troubles Grow as Next Mugabe Term Begins, Thomas Omestad, United States Institute of Peace (August 22, 2013)
