The Foundation for Democratic Process FODEP has charged that the country’s democratic space has shrunk since the PF assumed power in 2011.
FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi noted that the behavior of the police who are being used to stifle the freedoms and rights of the public as well as some institutions is proof enough that the country’s democracy is shrinking.
Mr. Chipenzi sites the continued harassment of journalists while performing their duties as one such indicator that the country’s democracy has deteriorated since the PF took over office.
Mr. Chipenzi has further said that his institution is greatly disappointed and condemns with the manner the Zambia police is trying to intimidate not only journalist but political opponents of the PF.
“FODEP expresses its greatest disappointment at the manner police is trying to intimidate and harass innocent citizens such as journalists and political opponents to the ruling party during the tour of their duty.
We condemn in the strongest terms possible the continued intimidation and harassment of other players in a democratic space. It is clear with the behavior of the police that the democratic space in Zambia has shrunk since 2011.”
And Mr. Chipenzi says the summoning of the Hot FM Managing Editor over what he termed as “a non-issue” as well as the problems that ISO is facing for featuring opposition leaders is unfortunate especially coming from a police that is calling itself a police service.
“The summoning of the HOT Fm Editors over a non-issue using archaic laws is most unfortunate for police that calls itself a police service.
The police are creating an impression that freedom after speech in Zambia is not guaranteed. ISO FM in Isoka, Muchinga Province is in problems just for featuring an opposition political party leader.”
Mr Chipenzi has since called on Zambians to demand for the repeal of all the laws hindering the attainment of sound democratic dispensation in the country.
” FODEP implores all Zambians to demand for the repeal of all laws that are inimical to the attainment of a sound democratic dispensation such as the public order Act, NGO Act, current “defective” constitution and the penal Code esp. section 67 which curtails people’s freedom of expression.”
He added; “the demand for a new constitution should be the rallying point for all Zambians to curtail excessive abuse of power and authority by state institutions.
Zambians must realize that today it is the journalists, CSOs and political players who are being harassed; tomorrow it will be the ordinary people.”
Mr. Chipenzi’s comments comes in the wake of police recording a warn and caution from Hot FM station managing editor Changwe Kabwe a move which a number of stakeholders have since condemned.
Freedom after speech in Zambia is not guaranteed. Eastern concept
Zambian Police Officers Are Dogs, And Not Just Mere Dogs As Some Dogs Are Very Good But Lunatic Dogs Who Cannot Differentiate Between What Is Good And Bad, What Is Wrong And Right, What Is Honorable And Indecent. They Follow The Command Even When It Takes Them To Destruction.
Simply Put; They Are I.D.I.O.T.S. Immoral Dogs Immigrating On Truth-less Service.
Some One Must Clean Up The Service Of Such Worthless Men And Women Or Simply Put Criminals Hiding As Police (Cadres) In Police Uniforms.
Like Father Like Son = Like Appointing Authority Like The Appointees Useless.
Journalists ought to know that they can never operate outside the bounds of law. Those that practice responsible journalism have nothing to fear.
Whats wrong with a journalist being held accountable for a media article published thats defamatory injurious and libelous?
we dont want lawlessness and impunity to be the order of the day
Iwe Lion kateba chupo stop insulting the Police because those are innocent people they are under AOTH TO PROTECT the govt even if hh becomes President of Zambia that is if he will, the same Police you are insulting will be the ones protecting him. The issue here is not the POLICE but the Politicians who abuse them when they assumes power. The Police will work with any govt as long as there are the ones in power.
Check your yourself before you vomit anything in public.
This basic human right has been striped out of the nation by our own making of voting in power a dictator in the name of action man. Many Zambian do not realise that they can no longer express themselves freely, for example; to state that the president may/is sick in statehouse is an arrestable case. This is an affront to freedom of expression. Its a fact that Sata in state house is sick, his frail frame appearance to the world attending to a court case proved his sickness. Yet Zambians still they are fine to be arrested misusing and abusing laws of the land to oppress citizens. The police in particular should not shield under instructions of government, others will be made to account personally for their actions some day.
Don t blame the police; they are the innocent victims in the game of politics here in zambia; they swear an allegiance to the government; the solution here is to get the new constitution so that we free not only ourselves but the police as well who are supposed to be non partisan;