In
a
statement
released
on
Wednesday,
1
April,
the
ERC
warned
that
these
problems
could
undermine
the
credibility
of
the
consultation
process
and
discourage
citizens
from
freely
sharing
their
views.
The
organisation
said
that
for
public
hearings
to
be
meaningful,
they
need
to
be
conducted
in
a
safe,
well-organised,
and
transparent
manner
that
allows
everyone
to
participate
without
fear
or
hindrance.
Part
of
the
statement
reads:
“Overall,
the
political
environment
on
day
2
was
not
always
conducive
to
the
making
of
free
and
informed
submissions
at
the
public
hearings.“The
atmosphere
at
the
public
hearings
was
tense
and
subdued
but
underpinned
by
palpable
tensions.”
The
ERC
reported
serious
disruptions
during
public
hearings
on
the
Constitutional
Amendment
(No.
3)
Bill.
At
the
Harare
City
Sports
Centre,
there
were
incidents
of
physical
violence,
including
the
assault
of
human
rights
lawyer
Doug
Coltart.
Meanwhile,
at
Beit
Hall
in
Mutare,
observers
noted
a
tense,
coercive
atmosphere,
with
signs
of
organised
intimidation.
The
ERC
also
highlighted
a
lack
of
coordination
between
Parliamentary
Committees
and
the
Zimbabwe
Republic
Police
(ZRP).
This
unclear
division
of
responsibilities
allowed
unauthorised
disruptions
to
continue
unchecked,
creating
what
the
ERC
described
as
a
“chilling
effect”
that
prevented
citizens
from
participating
freely
in
the
hearings.
It
said:
“The
ERC
observed
that,
in
several
instances,
perpetrators
of
violence
were
not
promptly
removed
or
held
to
account
by
onsite
authorities,
further
damaging
public
confidence
in
the
safety
of
the
proceedings.”
The
ERC
noted
that
many
attendees
were
unable
to
share
their
views,
as
time
limits
and
large
crowds
meant
only
a
small
number
of
participants
could
make
oral
submissions. It
said:
“While
those
selected
to
speak
were
generally
given
adequate
time
and
were
able
to
express
themselves
freely,
concerns
persist
regarding
freedom
after
expression,
with
increasing
reports
of
victimisation
and
reprisals
against
individuals
following
their
participation.“Additionally,
the
absence
of
standardised
and
transparent
criteria
for
selecting
speakers
from
the
floor
created
a
risk
of
perceived
partiality,
thereby
undermining
meaningful
participation.”
The
ERC
has
urged
the
ZRP
and
Parliament
to
investigate
the
reported
incidents
and
take
the
necessary
steps
to
ensure
a
safe
and
conducive
environment.