Amnesty International says the Zambian government must immediately drop charges of sedition against opposition leaders Hakainde Hichilema and his deputy Geoffrey Mwamba.
Amnesty International’s Director for Southern Africa Deprose Muchena said the charges against Mr Hichilema and Mr Bwalya are a ploy to intimidate and silence political opponents.
Mr. Hichilema and Mr Mwamba yesterday appeared for mention at the Luanshya Magistrate court on charges of “seditious practices” and “unlawful assembly”.
However, the matter could not take place as state advocates said they had not received instructions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions over the same.
Luanshya Magistrate Mbuzi adjourned the matter to 7th November, 2016 for mention and possible commencement of trials.
But Muchena said the charges against Mr. Hichilema and Mr. Mwamba are a ploy to intimidate and silence political opponents.
“The authorities must drop the charges against them and stop misusing the criminal justice system to harass political opposition.”
He said the authorities must drop the charges against them and stop misusing the criminal justice system to harass political opposition.
The “seditious practices” charge was brought against the pair after they publicly stated that they don’t recognise President Edgar Lungu as a legitimately elected leader of Zambia.
They are challenging his election in court.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years. The “unlawful assembly “charge emanates from the meeting the two opposition leaders had with their supporters on 26 September in Chibombo district along their way to the Copperbelt Province.
After being charged, the pair were held overnight at Luanshya Police Station.
Mr. Hichilema has alleged that the police denied them food, water, and bedding during their detention.
“The authorities must ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations of the alleged ill treatment of Mr. Hichilema and Mr. Mwamba during their detention. Anyone found to have ill-treated them must be held accountable for their actions.”
Muchena, you seem overzealous, the organization you represent is useless. You failed to comment when innocent people were being beaten and thrown out of their homes in Namwala. Your reasoning is that of a unpd cadre. Am sorry I have nothing good for you. Viva ECL!
@ Lazi
Welcome to the World. Do you know anything about AI? Take seat and enjoy rough ride.
One thing is sure 100%, Amnesty International interest and involvement in Zambia “democratic” political environment will not benefit village 1mbeciles “anointed one” and his party.
And yet they call for fasting and reconciliation at the same time they are punishing others for visiting others. Everyone knows the fact that these charges are nothing but political witch hunt.
Why didn’t you are arrest the people that throw others out of their home? Simply that was propaganda at its best!!!
…isn’t this Muchena guy a Tonga????
…..oh! He’s from Zim. Cool
LOL!
Thanks
@Rat Patrol : that’s the thinking of PF. Very soon, very soon, PF will find that the Americans, the British and the whole world are Tongas! Stoopidity can be recognised from New York, Moscow or Dundumwezi.
Just wait…
Do not be shocked to hear the Muchena has been relieved of his duties for abuse of Authority.
Amnesty is not a police for any country. Neither does their organisation stand only for politicians.
How many people were harmed and displaced in Namwala by the upnd at the command of HH? What was Amnesty international doing, celebrating?
Muchena is representing his own views and not those of Amnesty international, mark my words. Soon you will realise this when the guy is dropped.
@Lazi well said, this Muchena is being a one sided hypocrite. Why hasn’t he commented on the Hate Speech GBV and the Hungry Hyena have been spreading? Why hasn’t he condemned the acts of violence that HH’s supporters committed including the murder of a known PF body guard in Southern Province by suspected UPND blood thirsty animals?
Hypocrite this Muchena chap..a real hypocrite that only UPND knumbskulls who don’t even believe in reconciliation and forgivenes as announced by their spokesperson Kakoma can believe.
Lazy,
How that your mind and heart are all PF. What do you say, iwe Makaka? Mangani was advocating for treason charges against HH & GBM and you never said anything. Muchena writes something and you link him to a Tonga?
Why don’t you come out in the open and put the Tonga’s where they belong so that we forget about them? Tongas are great people.
@Born Free, you need a new brain! AI can not give any country a rough ride! This story is ridiculous. The case has not even been heard. AI cannot interfere nor intimidate the Zambian Judiciary in doing its job.
Instead of concetrating on the budget the idots are busy persecuting people. waste ever governemnt since indpendence. Ci buteko cama fornteen ne fikopo.
PF are too keen to join the club of political morons like Al Bashir, Museveni and Mugabe. Persecution of the opposition will not deliver a sensible budget, reduce fuel prices, or make Lungu popular. From now onwards it is downhill for Lungu and PF.
These are CRIMINALS deliberately causing dissent and divisions in the country!
No sacred sheeps here, please bwana president no one is above
Political and economic suicide by PF. Lungu will make a superhero of HH. The apartheid regime did the same for Nelson Mandela by imprisoning him.
Back teeth is either a backward kachema or miserable nyamazai…he worships his god hh
Stop mastarbating in public – Kudos
who are they really to stop a court process,do u know what you fight for? we majority of people want to secure Zambia because Zambia is not for sale,if really hh and gbv are innocent then let them prove their case in court,but if really the are refusing to recognize the head of state and are in forcing their ideas into blind followers who would end up demonstrating for his sake in the name of freedom fighters then I suggest they lock him up with hard labour so that hakainde can understand that the struggle is real.. let his bitterness grow and explode behind the cells…im a transcendent and I approve this msg
HH is not well he has acute illusionary syndromes that manifest through low libido, short temper, headache, inability to sustain engaged thoughts and incoherence. If not adressed it leads to depression
Lungu cannot drop these arbitrary charges unless the two had defiled young girls. Lungu is good at pardoning such
Sounds like muchena is representing a wrong organisation. He reasoning are that of kakoma. Maybe he is now Upnd media spokes man. Amnesty international does not interfere in the court proceedings like that. You sound so bitter and full of hate hence your genes and that of Upnd 1mbeciles matches.
1mbecile above
Amnesty International does NOT interfere in the court proceedings if the same are pursued in accordance with the UN Charter of Peoples Rights. Otherwise, they will. All the way to ICJ. Check legal precedents before showing your inbred 1mbecility.
Enjoy the ride!!!
@Born Free. Calm down, there is no ride here! AI cannot interfere with thus case because there has not even been a hearing yet by the country’s Judiciary. The Police have acted correctly in arresting him to prevent citizens coming to harm. HH is wrong.
Lungu’s approach to National issues is wrong post a disputed election. Instead of taking a confrontational approach, harassing and persecuting his opponents he should be preaching National Reconciliation and Healing. Lungu has to find a way to restore his legitimacy. The Petetion has to be disposed off properly and in good time otherwise Lungu will remain illegal and illegitimate. No foreign financial assistance will come to Zambia until legitimacy and legality is restored in the Lungu regime. Lungu’s priorities right now are upside down. They are vindictive and callous to say the least.
It is weird how Lungu and PF don’t see this. It is political and economic suicide. While they are dealing harshly with HH, the whole world is watching and writing off Zambia as another failed state, like Zimbabwe, Somalia or South Sudan.
If HH and GBM are challenging the election of ECL in court then how do you expect them at the same time to accept ECL election? What would be the point of them going to court?
@Naomi, the case has been thrown out! There is no legal challenge, just remnants. The election results will NEVER, be changed.
If the Ugandan caught in the ECZ computer room at mulungushi was not arrested, does the Zambian govt and ZP have any right to arrest anyone? Is it inferiority complex where foreigners are left scot free while Zambians are arrested? Is this independence?
Lungu is horrible liar . In Madagascar he lied saying” election in Zambia were free and fair and that this shows to the Africa and the world that Zambia is a democratic state.”We in the international community are watching and will support HH because he is the best candidate for the office.We can not support a Gang leader who has survived through lies and dividing Zambians in ethnic groups.
Learn to think.
What have you done about US bombing of hospitals and killing children. Which party of southern Africa are you from, if Zambia which part. So you want anarchy so that you will come as “volunteers ” to help displaced people? Go tell Obama to stop killing innocent people in developing countries.
Who are innocent people killed in Zambia and who has killed them?
Mugabe syndrome is not good. Ask the good people of Zimbabwe.
How many Bembas were killed in Namwala? ZERO. All this is propaganda against Tongas. This struggle is about control of national resources. Bembas and Nyanjas want to loot national resources and are bitter that UPND is shining the light on their looting.
HH and GBM are fighting for the future of elections in zambia. No one cares if they become losers or not but it is the future of fair and free elections that are at stake here.
Imagine if this president being set by PF is allowed to continue where political violence , intimidation and out right rigging is the order of the day, no one will have confidence in our once proud electrol process.
You might as well cancelle elections and concentrate on national prayers and dancing.
Let’s not reason like donkeys here hiho hiho, hiho hiho just because some donkey at Amnesty International has done the same, hiho hiho.
1. HH was legitimately arrested for an offence that well defined in Zambian statutes
2. As per statute he was locked up for a night and brought before the courts of law.
3. The courts of law granted him bail as per his human rights under our statutes.
4. He is enjoying his freedom subject to the law.
As can be seen above, HH has been charged genuinely in accordance with the law and he has not been arbitrarily detained without trial, which is what Amnesty is all about. So what is this donkey Muchena talking about, hiho hiho?
This “donkey” Muchena did f*ck your mamma and 9 months later you are born!!!
Over 100 UPND supporters are locked up with out trial on fake charges. PF want them to sign documents saying they will not appear as any witness in any trial about vote stealing for them to be released. They are denied visitation rights.
Now opposition leaders leaders are not allowed to talk or greet anyone in the streets.
Laddies and gentlemen, is this the zambia we want ? If lungu won the elections why is PF not letting the petition just go ahead ? What is the fear ? Now they are saying lungu is immune to the court system and no case can be brought against him.
The future for zambias development in an environment free of corruption and with freedom of expression where citizens chose leaders of their choice is in danger.
Lungu and the PF are rappeing zambias democracy and treasury while the police hold us down.
Yes this is the Zambia we want. The state must ensure its Judiciary are given special powers to remand criminals indefinitely until the Treasonist HH is tried.
Just wait…
Do not be shocked to hear the Muchena has been relieved of his duties for abuse of Authority.
Amnesty is not a police for any country. Neither does their organisation stand only for politicians.
How many people were harmed and displaced in Namwala by the upnd at the command of HH? What was Amnesty international doing, celebrating?
Muchena is representing his own views and not those of Amnesty international, mark my words. Soon you will realise this when the guy is dropped.
No Bembas were harmed, displaced or beaten in Namwala. If any, what are their names, identities and whereabouts? This is mere Bemba propaganda, like the fake story of a Bemba teacher beaten up in Sinazongwe. It is all lies. Stalin would be proud of these Bembas and their lies.
We all remember the fake bweengwa kidnapping or the GBM training UPND comandos with golf clubs and catapults to take on the zambia defense forces…..
@ # 17
You are either 5tupid wanker or certified 1mbecile. Which one?
@17. Peace for Zambia, You are right. amnesty International would not present like this! Thus us an allegation that the Gov’ts is wrong before the Judiciary has even tried the case. AI has no Jurisdiction and would only come in after a court case to be correct. They cannot prevent a country trying criminals!
@17.1 Buck Tooth Lungu. You are like Nazi Sympathisers called Holocaust Deniers. They argue Jews were never gassed in Germany. Its proof that HH is a divisionist and means to be the new Hitler.
Who the hell does this Muchena think he is? This country has laws and all Zambians must abide by it. We can’t have people breaking the law with impunity because AI will make noise. Where was this AI when people were being pierced with spears in Namwala? This is just a useless organization represented by wrong people.
CRAP
And Bob should carpet this Muchena.
No one is above the law.
ZAMBIA STILL HAS A LOT OF LEVEL-HEADED PEOPLE. ZAMBIANS ARE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE, BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON IN OUR COUNTRY WHO HAS FEATURED IN PUBLIC BOUQUET TO PLANT A SEED OF HATE AND TO DIVIDE OUR NATION. IS IT A SIN FOR PEOPLE TO DEFEND THE TRUTH?
HH is indeed a Hate Seed. Zambians must not grow it. And remember this in 2021.
Pf you are fools this time Zambia is not a Democratic country with your so called chakolwa has divided this nation with his dictator type of governing.
Muchena in bemba means stinking and indeed the man stinks.
Can you in your country tell a government that there will be a war if an arrested thief is not released?
Can you in your country take a person who has lost elections around the country and introducing him as the new head of state?
Be transparent and tell us the truth or else just shut up.
We know you former prisoners don’t use common sense, even in straight forward matters.
If you want lawlessness in this country, it will not be tolerated and the best thing for you to do is just to pack up and go.
Let the slow thinkers have a reality check…the world has seen enough this is the beginning…x-mas came early…dj please that song ? on repeat…
Just keep comforting yourselves with the imaginary friends you think are supporting you!
Muchena bali mulishamo kubena icilema
Ni soti muli supu
Muchena in bemba means someone who assaults
Where is free of movement in a so called democratic state Zambia. We are not peaceful but suppressed to be peaceful and politicians have taken our silence for granted.
LT PLEASE POST MY COMMENT. WHY HAVE YOU WITHELD IT?
Because is usual CRAP
Blocked!!! Stop blogging mu chi tonga….
Do you know how the Europeans conquered Africa? They didn’t come with armies but one whiteman would recruit Africans like this phool called Muchena to fight their fellow blacks. Most people don’t understand that even in US there’s a limit to what you can do te mayendele fye. Angela Davis and many others were imprisoned for belonging to the Communist Party and you call that freedom of association?
Right on brother! Tell them. Have faith in your own systems. HH and GBM have a choice to conform.
Bafycolor mulekwata amano. The two galuz are misbehaving ati International Amnesty shinga na nani???? If I were President, kufi Solva fye!!!
Can anyone answer me on the ugandan caught in the elections computer room who was not arrested
What’s the relevance? He was in a computer room.
Muchena where were you when people in Namwala were thrown out of their homes and ill treated under the command of Hakainde and fat Albert! When things were rough in Namwala Muchena was quiet! Is this chap real?
We was where he was when the bweengwa kidnapping happened and when GBM was caught training UPND comandos in the use of catapults and golf clubs to take on the zambia defense forces.
Or why can’t he talk about his president Mugabe?
No one is above the law. Soon, you will learn the meaning of this. Chiwamila galu
@15.1 Denning, so in your family donkeys are the ones who fu.ck your females? So your “dad” is a proxy? No wonder yu sound half donkey!
Amenesty International is a hopeless institution, that concentrates only on third world wrongs. They are silent on the Western ills on citizens in their country. I once had the opportunity to write a complaint to Amnesty International on a serious matter, the response was amazing! I was told that they had no interest in my complaint in a Western country, since they concentrate only on matters in third world countries. The writer more or less snarled at my serious complaint which I then wrote to the High Court for permission to be heard. I was given permission to bring a case, but luckily enough the problem was resolved very quickly after this permission was communicated. I still have that email.
This is just an agent of Western Gov’ts that is used to destabilise African and other countries. They have no authority or jurisdiction to order the Zambian Judicial process. Even our President stepped aside. You can’t allow UPND, to carry on this way. Zambia is facing a lot of challenges and must Press On. We have right to contain any element of de-stabilisation.
eyes you have but you can’t see that you are promoting them by detaining them as yo economy is shriking!
@Jack Chola you are wrong to suggestion that the shrinking economy is a reason to condone behaviour that is deliberately trying to do the same damage to our economy as the austerity measures will do. One is as debilitating as the other.
Wether you insult ECL or not,he is the president of ZAMBIA and HH is still the opposition UPND president.Argue and insult each other all you like,none of your opinions count.
Upnd is doomed unless there is change of attitude.
Falsehood wl take them nowhere but backward.
That ‘forward’ slaugan will simply take them in reverse as long as fabrication continues to be their main line of creativity.
Upnd will still exist in 2021 but only as a disorganised and weak party.
Please be objective, those of you who are HH, GBM and UPND haters. But then I forget, you actually CAN’T be objective. You are incapable. Please note, laws are respected when they are either humane and legitimate, or are not used and abused at the ‘convenience’ and capricious desires of a regime that is only bent on silencing any opposition. It is clear that the PF govt. has nothing on the two UPND leaders. Amnesty International is only saying desist from persecuting people on frivolous and vexatious so-called treason charges. Have some of you supporting the charges sat down and thought about what they mean? Treason may attract a life sentence or execution. Is that what you ARE for? Hasn’t the PF govt. anything better to do?
Can someone recommend a therapist that can help explain to me why I clicked on this?