The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has keenly followed the developments surrounding the cases of Mumbi Phiri, Jean Chisenga Ng’andwe, Peter Chanda and Celestine Mukandila, who were arrested for purported offences committed during the campaigns in the recently held Kawambwa by-elections. Of noteworthy, is the position taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert Phiri SC, not to recommend prosecution of the aforementioned opposition political players in light of the absence of credible evidence against them thus the prosecution is not in be public interest.
LAZ finds the conduct of the Director of Public Prosecutions commendable as it goes a long way in ensuring that the practice of using criminal prosecutions to settle political scores or silence those critical of Government is nipped in the bud. For a long time, the Zambia Police has been used by successive Governments as a weapon to silence those critical of the President or the Government. We find the political weaponization of the Police Service regrettable in light of its potential to infringe on the freedoms of citizens guaranteed under the Constitution.
The stance taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions is important in ensuring that criminal prosecutions are not abused for political reasons. We urge the Police and all other law enforcement agencies to emulate the DPP and ensure that they do not fall in the temptation of abusing criminal law to settle political scores. As Zambians, we are all one people bound by our common interest under the motto of One Zambia, One Nation, therefore our practices must promote human dignity, equity, social justice and equality as espoused by Article 8 of the Constitution, so that we can devote much time to collectively finding solutions to the challenges afflicting us as a nation, not settling political battles.
Meanwhile, LAZ welcomes the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, who is conducting a country visit to Zambia from 20 to 31 January 2025. The UN Special Rapporteur’s visit at the invitation of Government, gives the country a chance to reaffirm its commitment to upholding human rights in general and in particular, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as an opportunity to re-assess the legal and policy framework and the safety of journalists, human rights defenders and civil society actors in the country.
The press release on a matter of national interest, in defense of rights and freedoms of citizens has been issued in furtherance of LAZ’s mandate under Section 4 of the Law Association of Zambia Act No 31 of the Laws of Zambia.
Issued By
Lungisani Zulu
LAZ President
I hope the UN visit report will be favorable. Granted that this administration has a better human rights record than its predecessor, it needs to do more as events on the ground are not impressive.
The rappoteur has not come to compare human rights abuses under PF or UPND regime eras, he has come to observe if they are human rights violations currently going on in Zambia. LAZ has put it plainly and truthfully that goverment should not use the Police to settle political scores.
So if I kill you using a gun the charge will be less than if I killed you using an axe?
Rappoteur for sure azabagwila, she will catch them, they cannot escape this one
One thing we bear in mind is that if the DPP acted independently then he’s history.
Otherwise I suspect he was instructed to act just to save face
Either way the government has acted amateurishly. The rapporteur is reading all these and wondering why Mumbi Phiri has been in detention all the time when there was no evidence.
The best way to go is to Investigate the case before arresting the suspect. Yes the suspected can be interrogated as part of investigation without arresting.
I do not agree with LAZ on there comments about the DPP we have opposition leaders in Jail for trampled up charges,iam suspicions of his new stance it is something to do with the visit of the UN representative just clean the name of his master
Mr. Phiri Gilbert has done a commendable gesture. I only hope he did not do that to impress the UN. Another appreciated move is letting loose, without handcuffs, that insulting Kalulushi resident by the Lusaka court. I hope it too was not done for grandstanding. Too and true, but surprising, is allowing ECL leave the cross the border for RSA medicals. A temporary tipping of a seemingly riggid system.