Tsvangirai's treason trial lawyer wins IBA award

Tsvangirai's treason trial lawyer wins IBA award

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By Staff Reporter

THE lawyer representing Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in his treason trial, South African George Bizos, has been named winner of the 2004 Bernard Simons Memorial Award

The International Bar Association (IBA) on Friday night announced George Bizos as the winner of its prestigious award for Bizos' role in the "advancement of human rights".

"The Award is being made to Mr Bizos for his outstanding contribution to human rights law in South Africa," the International Bar Association said in a statement released from London.

Bizos will receive his award at the IBA's annual Conference in Auckland 25 October this month.

Nelson Mandela, one of the many who nominated Bizos for the Award, said: "I know of no person more worthy for this honour."

As a student during the late 1940s, George Bizos fought, against racism, and for the promotion of human rights. He has been associated with many landmark trials on South Africa's road to democracy, and was Nelson Mandela's lawyer throughout the infamous Rivonia Trials during the 1960s.

Throughout the 1990s, George Bizos played a central role in establishing constitutional law and investigating apartheid-era crimes for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

More recently, he has been involved in a critical case in Zimbabwe, heading the defence for leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change on charges of high treason.

Judgement in the treason trial is expected next Friday.

The Award, sponsored by LexisNexis Matthew Bender, will be presented to George Bizos during the apt Human Rights Institute Session on Politicisation of the judiciary.
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