Public rally by United Party for national developement (UPND) and other related issues
The Commission is pleased that Police permitted the UPND to hold a public rally in Mandevu on Sunday 6th October. As we have stated before, the right to assemble peacefully is recognized in both local and international laws and must therefore be safeguarded at all times. Rather than be seen to be the impediments to the enjoyment of this and other related rights, the Police, as they did on Sunday, must be facilitators who ensure that order an safety prevail.
Reports that some cadres from the ruling party had earlier attempted to disrupt the gathering are regrettable. We call upon members of different political affiliations to be tolerant of divergence as this is the bedrock of our democracy.
In the same vein, therefore, we condemn in the strongest terms, the reported remarks by some named Patriotic Front (PF) officials in Mansa, Luapula who have stated that the Province is a no-go area for UPND president Hakainde Hichilema for uttering remarks at the rally which they consider unacceptable. The Commission wishes to remind all that Mr Hichilema, like everybody else, has the right to hold opinions and express them as provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. Similarly, we call on the PF officials to recognize Mr Hichilema’s freedom of movement within and outside Zambia, constitutionally guaranteed in Article 22(1)(a).
Building a sustainable Human Rights Culture together
The Commission further wishes to recognize and applaud the visible efforts, within the higher echelons of the PF, to restrain cadres from taking the law into their own hands and, in the process, victimizing innocent citizens. Such and other instances of indiscipline tend to limit the enjoyment of certain rights by the general public just as they may have a direct bearing on the popularity of the PF, irrespective of whatever strides the party may be making towards enhancing our enjoyment of economic and social rights, for instance through the many infrastructure developments around the country.
The conciliatory tone of Information and Broadcasting Minister (and Government Spokesperson), Mwansa Kapeya, when dealing with opposition concerns over the Public Order Act also gives us great hope that we are finally approaching an era in our democracy when confrontation and counter invectives are a thing of the past! We urge Mr Kapeya to maintain that conciliatory tone in all his government position pronouncements and call upon others to emulate him.
Samuel Kasankha
Spokesperson.
Iwe njombwinjo, ngombe si muntu naiwe
I condemn them too, let them allow the boy play freely. Whether Luapula, Mandevu or Chifunabuli he is freely to and play anywhere. Its a free country. Thanks
If PF is that popular why worry about UPND which is less popular? The converse is true.
He is not a boy. The man is 50 years. for goodness sake let us have respect. You may not agree with him but he is definitely not a boy! he is not even a youth
If PF is that popular why worry about UPND ? is UPND a factor? if it is not why worry? slowly PF is proving to us that UPND is a force to reckon hence the need to block it before it stretches its wings all over. Any way as Zambians we can judge the current government correctly. Pembeleni 2016 ileisa tukamona. Abakali bakamoneka.
Luapula Watchout, HH Haleisa, Haleisa!
PF are Tribalists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is common knowledge; even a newly born baby knows it.
Yes they are…..
Yes the PF is a tribal Party. Why is it that its only in the Northern and Luapula Provinces where HH is hated and the two Provinces even declare the areas to be ‘NO GO AREAS’ for HH and yet HH is welcome else where?
Nowonder luapula isnt devloped. Bembas hv on several occassions denied ushis as being bembas bt as ‘bamunyela pameshi’. Hw many ushis ar cabinet ministers 2day, one or two vry dull indeed.
Just concentrate on resolving the troubles in the PF because HH is unstoppable. As long as Luapula is in Zed, he won’t be stopped.
HH will rule the whole Zambia, including the Luapula failled project(PF) cadres.
Haleisa Haleisa!
Please Condemn also PF tribalists for detaining 84 people in Barotseland for dancing after a domestic football march.
Seems like in the two years of Ukwa’s rule we have gone back thousands of years to the stone-age. One can hardly this type of mentality in a world that has the use of the internet at the beginning of the 21st century.
Opposition leaders will traverse the country and hold rallies as they wish. Failing which some one won’t get the loans they so desperately want.
Now who is being Tribal??
ndeloleshafyeeeeeeeee!
This true and pure tribalism and Regionalism. Let them chase HH. The way the Luapula and Northern provinces will treat HH is the same way we shall react to PF in our provinces. Start it we will follow suet period.
First it was Northern Province and now it is Luapula. These PF people are hardcore tribalists! Shame on these primitive primates! This is the lot that refused to vote for Mazoka! Stinking greedy and selfish people!
Iam from luapula LUAPULA DOES NOT BELONG TO PF HH YOU FREE TO TO LUAPULA ANYTIME
This is when we can see how leadership is indeed lacking in PF!! Where is the PF Secretary General(SG)? Where is the Chairperson and other leaders in PF? Mr. Kabimba this is the time to show that you hate tribalism and indiscipline as you have been saying in the past weeks failure to which we shall just interpret the “tribalism and indiscipline in PF” as self serving cry aimed at your self preservation. HH is a free son of this country, Zambia,born free and free to move and propagate his ideas whenever and wherever he wishes as long as he is within the confines of the law. So PF show leadership and do something about this nonsense of “no go areas”. This country needs the contribution of everybody anywhere regardless of political party affiliation or ethnicity!!
Zambians ubupuba too much. When are we going to read about true development? People just like politics with no plans for the country. The chief culprit being the empty head in State House! Sorry to sound so exasperated.
Sad indeed that in this 21st century we still have some people who may think like that. What kind of politics are we being exposed to? such comments should be condemned by all well meaning Zambians. Surely what is in luapula that a person can smile about. How many people from luapula are in different parts of the country and enjoying free life as Zambians
You have demonstrated hate and tribalism attitudes that is dragging this country backwards. In kasama it was the same, HH was chased for reasons best known to the TRIBALISTS. mind u PF was not voted to power by Bemba and Ushis alone many Zambians from different background demonstrated the power of change.
Bembas are not a force in Zambia. you risk being isolated and mistrusted for good if you stand to divide the country on ethnic…
That’s why Lozis may contemplate to be on their own than to belong to a country where other primitive thinkers thinks they can boast of nothing.
LUAPULA is just like any other province in Zambia.
IF HH HAS THE RIGHT TO HOLD COMBATIVE AND INSULTING OPINIONS AND EXPRESS THEM AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR).
WE ALSO HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS.
POLITICAL LEADERS SHOULD EXPRESS THEMSELVES WITH MAXIMUM CIVILITY.
Luapula Premier, you are exhibiting poor memory. Rewind to the times PF was in the opposition and you will see/hear what our current President used to say about Presidents Mwanawasa, Chiluba and Banda. We took it he was expressing democratic rights as an opposition politician at the time. You may wish to recall what was said about LPM’s mental state referring to his involvement in the fatal accident as VP (brains scattered on the tarmac picked to reconstruct him —– etc).
Some of us are just disgusted by the hypocrisy of people like you, Luapula Premier. What method and law are you going to use to bar HH from entering Luapula province? Police should caution chaps like you for threatening the Public Peace. Atase.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR)?
SHOULD WE ABATE HOMOSEXUALITY AND INSULTS ALL IN THE NAME OF UDHR?
IS KAPWEPWE = HH????????
THE SON OF THE SOIL, SIMON MWANSA KAPWEPWE WAS SHOWN A RED CARD FOR CALLING US “BA TUBULU”, HE DIED WITHOUT SETTING FOOT IN LUAPULA.
WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR IS MATURITY IN THE POLITICAL ARENA….
@CLARICE IT IS PF MICHAEL SATA A BEMBA
Now where’s kk to condemn luapula tribalists too?
There are so many fishermen frm Luapula in Namwala HH stronghold and they are free.