AFRICA FREEDOM DAY – THE ROAD AHEAD
Today we mark Africa Freedom Day. We celebrate important political milestones with pride, and we commemorate those who made great sacrifices to achieve these advances.
As we observe this day with our friends, family and fellow Zambians we must reflect and ask ourselves what we can do to protect and progress this precious inheritance. Today we should be celebrating a new achievement and step towards greater freedom guaranteed by a 21st century constitution. More than 50 years since independence and more that 20 years since the advent of multi-party democracy, we should be celebrating the delivery of a new people-driven constitution. A constitution that through its Bill of Rights enshrines valuable protection of various rights for Zambians, including the freedom of expression, the freedom of the media, and various socio-economic rights such as the right to free primary and secondary education for Zambian children.
While we in the UPND are proud of the strong position of Zambia historically as a peaceful and democratic nation, even playing an important role in the struggle for independence and freedom elsewhere in the region, we are refusing to accept the status quo until the rights of all Zambians are constitutionally protected and respected by government.
The events of the past few weeks that have seen yet more attempts to regulate and monitor my movements are just one public example of how not all citizens are treated equally and that protection of these rights is currently insufficient. It is just the latest reminder of why in addition to introducing the new constitution we must also reform the Public Order Act so it is no longer open to abuse.
We will continue to champion these policies in the interests of all Zambians. Government is there to serve the people and if it cannot introduce basic provisions to protect the freedoms of its citizens then we believe it is failing in its most necessary function.
The proper protection of fundamental human rights is also an essential foundation for progress and proper socio-economic development. We will also continue to push for economic empowerment and liberation through our advocacy of increased investment in education, support for local businesses and training initiatives, improved access to credit for youths, and an end to any discrimination based on age, gender, or tribe.
Have a blessed and restful African Freedom Day.
“Together, We Can”
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
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Issued by: UPND National Campaign Centre, Lusaka
And I direct my MPs to boycott the discussion on this important issue. HH
It is common sense that PoA is nuisance. People should look at this beyond HH. It is time we start think about the country and not an individual. There are several things our legislators would to to improve the livelihood of all Zambians. By elections are a drain on our economy, why can’t we find a better way to govern ourselves? Much needs to be done for us to say we are free!
Akainde and his upnd appreciate that POA is an important governance and public order regulatory too.
Its on this premise that he is calling for the reform and not abolition of the POA. Welcome to reality under five.
Its good you have started using a toilet now and not peeing in your diapers.
On the Bill of Rights, that has to go through a referendum and thats coming next year after which we will have a people driven constitution.
Law is there to protect guide correct discriminate punish humiliate free enslave directs you. You only see the bad face of the law when you go against it. If you complain about the law just know that you are on the wrong side of it.
We can’t totally do away with the POA just because of one selfish politician who is lawless.
Imagine how the hyenas would ‘ve taken advantage of the situation if we didn’t have POA in place.
Remember your freedom is another man’s slavery .
It is not always that the law is implemented judiciously. POA, has been used by many a politician to limit the rights of the citizenry. They do so because they can. And that is not right.
We have laws to help us govern ourselves in line with our collective dreams and aspirations. But it seems politicians want to use the law and some government institutions to consolidate their power by settling personal scores. That ladies and gentlemen has to stop!
We can if we didnt have people like you.
HH you are too childish and Lungu and PF are your worst nightmare.
VIVA HH VIVA! VIVA UPND VIVA! VIVA ZAMBIA VIVA!
True salt of Zambia! True son of our Zambian soil with a vision to better Zambians living standards.
HH NOT RELEVANT FOR 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
FELLOW UPND MEMBERS! Brothers ans Sisters. I wish you could feel my pain, at the going down of our beloved party. No one today does not know that we have been cheated, robbed, cajoled to believe that HH can redeemed us and the people of Zambia in general. The man has lost elections 4 times and somehow we are cheated to continue believing that he is our saviour! Oooooops! God help us!
We have able men and women who are ready to take over and stand in 2016! We all know HH’s weaknesses which are more than strengths politically therefore it is extremely suicidal to bank on this man as our 2016 candidate. Please comrades, let us focus on winning 2016 with a proper candidate and not going back into circles. We have learn enough lessons.