President Edgar Lungu has urged Commonwealth lawyers attending the 21st Commonwealth Law Conference in Livingstone to be watchdogs that see that the rule of law thrives.
President Lungu notes that the role of lawyers is to uphold the fundamental liberties of people regardless of status while upholding the rule of law.
He has implored lawyers to take up the mantle to engage the arms of Government instead of being mere critics.
President Lungu has noted that the Zambia Government is determined to hold accountable legal practitioners because the need for a vibrant legal profession cannot be over emphasized.
He has also urged the lawyers to fill in the gaps to reach people in the country side, rural areas and the marginalized by establishing pro-bono services so that everyone has access to legal representation.
And President Lungu has urged lawyers in the country to operationalize the Legal Aid Policy that government recently formulated.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland thanked lawyers in the Commonwealth for upholding the rule of law.
Ms Scotland has since urged the law practitioners at the conference to enrich the commonwealth in their deliberations at the gathering.
And Chief Justice, Ireen Mambilima said the conference is a great platform for law practitioners to enhance their practice.
The five day conference at Avani Hotel has attracted legal minds from Commonwealth countries.
