International bodies condemn attacks on Zimbabwean lawyers, warn of threat to justice system
via NewsDay Zimbabwe5 min read
International legal bodies have expressed alarm over an increase in physical and verbal attacks on lawyers in Zimbabwe, stating that this trend jeopardizes the country's justice system and discourages legal professionals from handling sensitive cases. The International Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales issued a joint statement highlighting a recent attack on human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart as indicative of broader harassment against legal professionals. They warned that the violence and threats against Coltart, which occurred after a public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 in Harare, could suppress dissent within the legal community. The organizations noted that such actions create a chilling effect, deterring lawyers and rights defenders from speaking out due to fear of retaliation. Coltart was reportedly assaulted, had his phone stolen, and received threats after attempting to document irregularities at the public hearing. The theft of his phone raised concerns about lawyer-client confidentiality, as it contained sensitive legal information. The legal bodies also connected the incident to wider concerns about judicial independence, particularly in light of proposed constitutional changes that could expand executive control over judicial appointments and weaken oversight institutions. They urged authorities to investigate the attack on Coltart and to cease all harassment and improper interference with lawyers and judges, emphasizing t
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
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