Amnesty International Condemns Violence At Public Hearings In Harare

Amnesty International has condemned the violent incidents that occurred during the public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill of 2026 conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, at City Sports Centre in Harare on Tuesday, 31 March.

In a statement released on 1 April, the human rights organisation said the attacks highlight a worrying erosion of human rights in Zimbabwe.

Amnesty International added that such violence undermines the spirit of genuine public consultation and represents a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices. The statement reads:

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the violent attacks witnessed during the public hearings held at City Sports Centre in Harare, where perceived opponents of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, as well as journalists covering the event, were physically assaulted and intimidated. Among those attacked was Doug Coltart, who lost his phone and spectacles during the skirmishes.

“Such callous acts paint a grim picture of the human rights environment in the country, undermine the spirit of genuine consultations, are a blatant attempt to silence dissent, and gravely threaten the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

“Authorities must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of violence that could deter individuals from freely exercising their human rights and expressing themselves and undermine the integrity of public consultation processes.

“Authorities must also ensure a peaceful environment before, during, and after the public hearings by fully respecting, protecting, promoting, and fulfilling the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression for all individuals, regardless of their views.

“We call on Zimbabwe’s authorities to promptly launch a thorough, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are held fully accountable without delay. Impunity for such acts must not be tolerated.”

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