Government says there is need to extensively provide free legal services especially to female inmates to enable them access the necessary information they need on human
rights and obligations.
Ministry of Gender and Child Development Assistant Director Simon Kapilima said women were the most vulnerable inmates hence the need to give them necessary attention.
Mr. Kapilima said this at Lusaka Central Prison during the celebration of 16 days of gender activism today.
He said lawyers need to create a platform to have one on one encounters with inmates and access cases to establish grounds of possible appeal.
He further stated that inmates also need to enjoy certain rights even though they were in prison.
And Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) vice president Linda Kasonde said inmates were entitled to respect and dignity.
Ms. Kasonde said inmates need to be sensitized on legal matters so that they know how to conduct themselves in and outside prison.
When they rob and kill people and rape women do they think about human rights?
Not everyone that ends up in prison is rotten. Believe it or not, there are innocent souls locked up. And yet some stole food so they could eat or feed their children. Some inmates might have murdered some thug that raped or killed their wife or daughter. In Zambia, they all get banged up.
You think it can’t happen to you? Human rights, are, exactly that.