HARARE, Apr. 21, 2026 (NewsDay Live) – International legal bodies have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing pattern of physical and verbal attacks on Zimbabwean lawyers, warning the trend threatens the country’s justice system and deters practitioners from taking on sensitive cases.
In a joint statement, the International Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales said the recent attack on prominent human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart reflects a broader campaign of harassment against legal professionals.
The organisations said the violence and threats against Coltart, following a public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 in Harare, risk silencing dissent within the legal community.
“It therefore appears that the repression and intimidation experienced during and since the hearing are aimed at stifling dissent and preventing free speech, including by legal professionals in relation to matters of law and the administration of justice,” the statement read.
They warned the attacks “contribute to a chilling effect, deterring other lawyers and rights defenders from speaking out for fear of retaliation.”
Coltart was allegedly assaulted, had his phone stolen and received threats after attempting to document irregularities at the public hearing. The organisations said the theft raises concerns over lawyer-client confidentiality, as the device contained sensitive legal material.
They also linked the incident to wider concerns over judicial independence, particularly amid proposed constitutional changes that could expand executive control over judicial appointments and weaken oversight institutions.
“The amendments would… undermine judicial independence,” the groups said, urging authorities to safeguard the rule of law.
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Coltart, a veteran human rights lawyer, has reportedly faced repeated arrests, assaults and legal challenges in recent years. The organisations called on Zimbabwean authorities to investigate the latest attack and “cease all harassment and improper interference with lawyers and judges.”
