Beatrice Mtetwa has been awarded one of the 2005 Press Freedom Awards by the New York-based campaign group the Committee to Protect Journalists. Congratulations Beatrice - we’re very proud of you!
The Zimbabwean lawyer has defended the rights both of Zimbabwean journalists and of foreign correspondents working in the country, and the CPJ award reflects the fact that internationally, Ms Mtetwa is best known for her work in defence of the media.
But she says she also takes a lot of cases involving constitutional law, mostly in the area of human rights.
“My most important work never gets near the media,” she told the BBC News website, adding jokingly: “You guys just like to report on yourselves.”
Full story here on the BBC
Zimbabwe, Human Rights, Press Freedom, Beatrice Mtetwa
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This entry was written by Sokwanele
on Wednesday, October 19th, 2005 at 1:35 pm.
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February 14th, 2006 11:39
Hello - I just listened to ‘Taking a Stand’ on BBC Radio 4 in London, which featured Beatrice Mtetwa and her fight against the unlawful and oppressive regime in Zimbabwe. I am an American lawyer who is also a solicitor in the UK and therefore I think I can appreciate how Ms Mtetwa could have taken the ‘easy way out’ by going into commercial practice or leaving the country. The fact that he has not done so, but rather chosen to take on the government and its horrid practices, is admirable and courageous.
In a few words, it is impossible for me to adequately express what a hero this woman is. The US/UK governments have spent billions ousting one bad leader in Iraq, yet have done very little to take on Mugabe and his monstrous political machine. I am so glad to see that someone is fighthing for Zimbabweans. I just want to express my encouragement and thanks to Ms Mtetwa and her colleagues for fighting the good fight. Keep it up–you WILL win in the end!!