The Law Society of England and Wales has today (16 July) urged the UN to scrutinise Zimbabwe over intimidation, attacks and politically motivated prosecutions against lawyers and human rights defenders.
Since the country’s last Universal Period Review* (UPR) in 2022, lawyers in Zimbabwe are facing surveillance fears, intimidation, harassment and interference merely for carrying out their professional duties. Concerns are also mounting over judicial independence and shrinking civil space in the country.
“We are deeply concerned that lawyers have continued to face physical attacks, threats, surveillance and intimidation just for doing their job,” said Law Society president Mark Evans.
“Many lawyers have said they’re most at risk when representing activists, journalists and protestors.
“These attacks are exacerbated by a lack of judicial independence. Amendments to the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe have progressively eroded constitutional safeguards for judicial independence, which guarantee the independence of the courts.
“These changes have undermined the separation of powers and fuelled concerns about judicial partiality, opaque appointment processes, lack of accountability and judicial misconduct.”
Mark Evans concluded: “We recommend that judicial appointments are brought in line with international standards on integrity, transparency, accountability and public participation.
“All attacks on lawyers must be promptly, independently and impartially investigated, while perpetrators are quickly brought to justice and outcomes made public.
“We hope the UN recognises the central role that lawyers play in defending human rights for us all and uses this evidence to call for their protection and their ability to represent clients without intimidation or interference.”
UK: Law Society warns UN that Zimbabwe’s lawyers are under attack
