The recent comments made by Laura Miti, a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission in Zambia, in response to the United Nations’ report condemning the state of human rights in Zambia, have sparked significant controversy. Her defense of President Hakainde Hichilema’s government, coupled with her dismissive attitude toward the UN’s findings, raises serious questions about her impartiality and suitability for the role she holds. Given these concerns, it is imperative that Laura Miti resigns from her position.
In her response on X (formerly Twitter), Laura Miti acknowledged the “ongoing harassment/arrests of opposition leaders & functions” but disputed the UN’s assertion that “citizens are fearful to speak out,” claiming, “No! Zambians are loud, unapologetic & even obscene in their criticisms. No arrest of the clergy either”. However, this statement is not only misleading but also fails to account for the increasing number of incidents involving the harassment and arrests of clergy who have spoken out against the government.
For instance, the Archbishop of Lusaka, Alick Banda, was publicly called a “Lucifer” by UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda after defending priests who criticized the government. Despite efforts to prosecute Imenda privately after the police refused to act, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, denied consent for the prosecution. This blatant disregard for justice demonstrates the extent to which the current government protects its allies while targeting dissenters.
Another example is Apostle Dan Pule, who was arrested shortly after his church, Dunamis International Centre, hosted leaders from the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), including former President Edgar Lungu, for a Day of National Prayer. This arrest raises serious concerns about the government’s willingness to suppress religious freedom and the right to assemble.
Pastor Duncan Daniel Simuchimba of Kitwe also faced arrest on flimsy charges after speaking out for over 200 shop owners whose businesses were threatened with demolition by the Kitwe City Council. His case highlights the broader issue of government overreach and the targeting of those who dare to stand up for their communities.
The harassment did not stop there. On April 7th, 2024, the Zambia Police issued a call-out for the arrest of Father Chewe Mukosa, further demonstrating the government’s aggressive stance against clergy members who express dissenting views. Additionally, Chawama Catholic Church Parish Priest, Fr. Anthony Kapambwe Salangeta, faced harassment from government officials, including President Hichilema, after criticizing the government’s economic policies during a press conference filled with misleading statistics and graphs. This incident underscored the disconnect between the government’s narrative and the reality faced by ordinary Zambians.
One of the most egregious examples of state intimidation involved the storming of Catholic Bishop Clement Mulenga’s office in Kabwe by police officers while he was hosting former President Edgar Lungu. The police’s demand to “fish out” Lungu or remain present throughout the meeting was a blatant violation of the sanctity of the church and an unmistakable sign of the government’s fear of dissent.
Despite these incidents, Laura Miti has chosen to remain silent on the human rights crisis in Zambia, instead continuing to praise President Hichilema while viciously attacking former President Edgar Lungu and the former ruling party. Her actions reveal a partisan bias that is incompatible with her role as a Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, an institution that must remain impartial to effectively defend the rights of all Zambians.
Cornelius Mweetwa, the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, should also take an interest in these matters. His defense of the government against the UN report, alongside Laura Miti, suggests a broader effort to downplay the significant human rights abuses occurring under President Hichilema’s administration.
The UN’s report is based on thorough investigations and collaborations with various local and international organizations, making its findings both credible and urgent. The growing evidence of human rights abuses, constitutional breaches, and suppression of dissent in Zambia should not be dismissed or minimized by those in power or those entrusted with holding power accountable.
In light of these actions, it is clear that Laura Miti must resign from her position on the Human Rights Commission. Her resignation would restore some measure of integrity to the Commission and ensure that it can carry out its critical mission without the taint of partisan influence. The protection of human rights in Zambia is too important to be compromised by individuals who prioritize political loyalty over their constitutional responsibilities.
By Peter Mabunda
What about all the dead wood in GRZ shouldn’t they set an example and resign first ?
Starting with ZESCO
Who is the writer of this article? Why is he in hiding?
Indeed, you can’t have choir leader for an important institution such as the Human Rights Commission. The appointment was wrong from the off, but what do you expect from this timid man masquerading as the best king ever to exist in the country.
Iwe Anthony he was the only African to shake hands with King Charles! Ask Hamasaka
Any Human Rights watcher would not be unable to see that all arrested citizens are from the opposition. That suggests an agenda a political agenda rather than rule of law. Until we go to heaven there’s no way one ruling party will have only angels in its membership
Her unholy defence of Dr Obrian Kaaba, who showed himself to be just a pawn in the hands of one UPND faction over another, was the final straw. Where are her principles? It may not be easy to put personal friendships aside, but that is what the position of the Human Rights Commissioner calls for: uncompromising defence of all persons’ inalienable human rights.
Leave Laura alone! She is not the one who violated people’s rights when Jameson Mutaware Kachasu Lungu was “Dununa Reversing” on people’s human rights. Manje imwe ba tombolilo like so Called Emmanuel Mwamba muleke kupusa otherwise muzafela mu Chimbokaila! Mutuhele mushapu kapa munyelile.
A Zambian to resign, that would be the day. Laura Miti fought ECL’s government not because he was bad ( indeed he was bad only beaten by the Upnd) but because she has a natural hatred for the man.
NGOs are not your friend. They do the bidding of whoever is funding them
@Imbwa you are right…. hence our backwardness.
Awe mukwai ba Deja Vu Lungu was a rotten president and he should never ever come back.
Laura Miti is very analytical and brilliant when she is objective and non partisan but we all need to understand that she is a spent force. She is past her shelf life in siding with the vulnerable and down trodden.
Zambian critics: Laura had no time to be “objective” with lungu but she is now trying to be objective with HH. For most followers that is double standards. You have to be what you are all the time.
Sishula Squared has not changed his anti-establishment stance no matter who is in office. Thats why I think he can make a good President.
Fred Mmembe was anti-establishment after MMD booted him out of their party but when PF’s Sata bought him he became a lapdog until Lungu accidentally became President. Fred saw he had missed a chance and tried to go back to his previous anti-govt stance but too late his Post Kingdom was obliterated by Lungu.
There are two others in the US whom I ll analyse later.
Laura, thanks a lot for doing us a favour by resigning. Before you resigned, you made some of us wonder whether or not you were truly what we believed you were, an impartial human rights fighter. But you have not passed the test of time. Genuine human rights fighters do not change according to the change in Govt. That was one of the tests you lamentably failed. If you are truly fair to yourself that is the right thing to do and accept a position in the mainstream UPND ranks. We still sympathise with you and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Hehehe………
Ati human rights abuses ????
Look at JJ banda, he kidnaps himself, they blame GRZ, he assaults himself, they blame GRZ……….
Finally he escapes from custody , they blame GRZ ???
GRZ clamps down on PF caders posing as clergy, the blame GRZ……..
Anyway, ni……..
Fowadee 2031
…….
That ka UNHCR report is just a memo to remind african governments that there is ways to govern, otherwise……..
Nobody cares about it, especially the major Western governments who are in full support of the UPND GRZ……….
If that report had any salt, western governments by now would be voicing concern, but they know………
The PF swamp that was once zambia needs cleansing , and that takes time and those complaining are just political prostitutes and violent theiving gangs……..
It is a meticulous, systematic job of rehabilitation of the moral, social and economic spheres of zambia…….
We are getting there…..
Forwadee 2031………
……..
The circus surrounding complaints by the opposition regarding JJ bandas shenanigans……..
They were up in arms , jumping like electrocuted monkies, only……..
To find it was all fakery………..
This sets a pattern of their complaints, most governments of the world see this…….its all case of looters being denied a chance to loot…….
They break the law or endanger the security of the nation by acting in gray areas boardering on illigality , and………..
expect nothing to happen to them………..
Just manga them for weekends in the jails……
They will soon learn…..
This is not the same Laura Miti prior to 2021. This one is enjoying the fruits of her appointment and cannot even talk against the government let alone resigning.
A mind like Laura is complex.She lives by subtleties. hardly understood by dullards like Deja Foool & his disciples. She lives her life in grey areas while Deja Foool sees everything as either black or white.I pity his followers,cheerig him on like little apes
Unfortunately most of us find it hard to step down. Not easy really!