ZIMBABWE : International lawyers’ groups call on government to protect independence of lawyers and judges following attack on human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at public hearing
The OIAD, together with the undersigned organisations condemns the violence and intimidation against human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at a public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on 31 March 2026. The refusal of the organisers to allow Mr Coltart and others opposed to the amendments to speak during the proceedings, his violent removal from the venue, and subsequent threats constitute a violation of his personal and professional right to freedom of expression, to bodily integrity and to carry out his professional duties without intimidation or reprisal.
Our organisations call on Zimbabwean authorities to:
- Conduct a prompt and independent investigation into the actions against Mr Coltart and take all necessary measures to ensure his safety and the return of his phone;
- Cease all harassment and improper interference with lawyers and judges in the course of their professional duties, including exercising their right to freedom of expression;
- Take all necessary measures to ensure lawyers can perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or fear of reprisals, and guarantee their physical and psychological integrity;
- Ensure that lawyers’ right to freedom of expression is respected and safeguarded, including when they speak out on issues related to the justice system, human rights and the rule of law;
- Respect the principle of lawyer/client confidentiality, halt any attempts to access privileged information and refrain from monitoring privileged exchanges between lawyers and clients.
Signed :
The Law Society of England and Wales
International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL)
Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation
Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (Conseil des Barreaux Européens, CCBE)
Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L)
European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), Turkey
Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
International Association of Russian Advocates
Geneva Bar Association
International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk (OIAD)
New York City Bar Association
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute
Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC)
Lawyers for the Rule of Law, United States
