The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson said today she was worried the rule of law was being undermined in Zimbabwe.
Speaking in Pretoria, she said Zimbabwe had built up a fine tradition of the rule of law and once possessed strong democratic structures.
Mrs Robinson arrived in South Africa yesterday for talks to forge an agenda on the World Conference against Racism to be held there in August.
"What I really worry acutely about at the moment is the erosion of all of that, which is undermining the fundamental integrity of the rule of law," Mrs Robinson said.
"That is the worst thing that can happen to a country, after a system has been built up over a number of years and people feel protected and secure under the law, not to have the security of the rule of law."
In recent months, ruling party militants and government security officials have threatened the judiciary, attacked independent journalists and clashed with the opposition.
They also occupied about 1,700 white owned farms - despite repeated court orders insisting they be removed - demanding the land be confiscated and given to landless blacks.
Mrs Robinson said the damage to Zimbabwe can be reversed, and appealed to the country's neighbours to assist in a supportive way.
"I don't think it is too late to turn the corner," she said.
AP