Thursday, March 28, 2024

UPDATED: EU Parliament calls for HH release, reform of the archaic public order act

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The European Union (EU) Parliament of the 27 member countries has demanded for the release of United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema from prison.

The EU Parliament has also called for reform of the public order act, the ZNBC, and an end to police brutality in Zambia.

Below is the full statement from EU parliament demanding for HH and urgent reforms in Zambia

European Parliament resolution on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema (2017/2681(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Zambia,
– having regard to the statement of 16 April 2017 by the European External Action Servicespokesperson on political tensions in Zambia,
– having regard to the report of the EU Electoral Observation Mission on the 2016 elections in Zambia,
– having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
– having regard to the Zambian Constitution,
– having regard to the Cotonou Agreement,
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
– having regard to Rules 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Zambia has been a longstanding example of democracy, with a 25-year record of peaceful transitions; whereas unfortunately the run-up to the 2016 elections was marred by violent clashes between supporters of the two leading parties, the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development (UPND, the opposition party);

B. whereas 11 May 2017 marked one month since the incarceration of the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, who was arrested together with five of his employees by heavily armed police officers in a raid on his house on 11 April;

C. whereas Hichilema was accused of endangering the President’s life by allegedly obstructing the presidential motorcade in Mongu on 9 April, and was immediately charged with treason, a non-bailable offence in Zambia, as well as with disobeying statutory duty, disobeying lawful orders and using insulting language; whereas he rejected all these allegations;

D. whereas despite the fact that Zambia is a de facto abolitionist country where the last execution carried out was in 1997, the maximum sentence for treason remains the death penalty;

E. whereas Hichilema’s lawyers called the case baseless and requested that the Lusaka Magistrate Court drop the charges; whereas the Court upheld the charges on the ground that only the High Court was competent for treason cases;

F. whereas Hichilema is currently held at the Lusaka Central Correctional Facility, where access to private media, lawyers, supporters and friends is limited; whereas acts of degrading treatment under detention have been reported by Hichilema and his lawyers;

G. whereas the UPND has considered the charges to be politically motivated and whereas Hichilema’s arrest has caused a wave of protests, violent clashes and increasing political tensions in the country;

H. whereas human rights organisations have called on Zambia’s authorities to drop the charges, claiming they were designed to harass and intimidate Hichilema and deter him from doing his political work; whereas President Lungu declared on 14 April 2017 that he would not interfere in the Hichilema case;

I. whereas the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Zambia has criticised the brutal arrest of the country’s main opposition leaders and decried the use of the national police to apparently prevent the organisation and general functioning of the political opposition;

J. whereas after the presidential election in August 2016 in which Hichilema was narrowly defeated by President Lungu, the UPND contested the legitimacy of the election results and the independence of the judiciary, but the complaint was dismissed without being heard in court;

K. whereas on 18 April 2017 Hichilema was served with an additional charge of treason, along with another five UPND members, for allegedly trying to overthrow the government between 5 and 8 April;

L. whereas on 13 November 2017 the EU Election Observation Mission delivered its final report, stating that the 2016 general elections were prepared in a largely professional manner but that both major political parties made statements that inflamed tensions during the campaign, leading to several serious incidents of violence;

M. whereas both the EU and the United States have expressed concern at the incarceration of the opposition leader and have called for a peaceful dialogue between the government and the UPND to ease the tensions that have grown between the two parties;

N. whereas on 20 April 2017 the Zambian President threatened to impose a state of emergency after a series of arson attacks on shops and police stations attributed to the UNPD; whereas this is likely to exacerbate current tensions and a political solution should be favoured;

O. whereas the Hichilema case is taking place in a context of increased political tension following the contested elections of last year; whereas human rights observers have reported acts of repression against political activists and opposition parties, excessive use of force to disperse peaceful protests, and crackdowns on media and independent journalists;

P. whereas the government has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue subject to acceptance by all opposition parties of the outcome of the 2016 election;

Q. whereas Zambia is a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement, whose Article 9 states that the Parties undertake to promote and protect all fundamental freedoms and human rights, including political rights;

R. whereas on 27 March 2017 the Zambian Government began public consultations on the country’s membership of the International Criminal Court;

1. Expresses its concern at the arrest and incarceration of Hakainde Hichilema and insists on the need to ensure fairness, diligence and transparency at all times in the application of the law and all along the justice process; notes with concern reports of political motivation in relation to the charges, and therefore reminds the Zambian Government of its obligation to guarantee fundamental rights and the rule of law, including access to justice and the right to a fair trial, as provided for in the African Charter and in other international and regional human rights instruments;

2. Is deeply concerned at the reports of increasing restrictions on the freedoms of expression and association; calls on the government to continue its efforts to restore full media freedom; insists on the government’s responsibility to avoid any deepening of the current political tensions and to respect, protect and promote the civil and political rights of its citizens;

3. Calls on the Zambian authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the alleged ill-treatment suffered by Hichilema during his detention and to hold those responsible to account;

4. Encourages all relevant political stakeholders to make use of constitutional and legal remedies, in line with international norms and standards, for the resolution of any dispute or differences related to the election results, and to do their utmost to safeguard peace and the security of civil society;

5. Calls for the EU to continue to closely monitor the overall situation in Zambia and to make use of available political means, including through dialogue at the highest level, to ensure that the conditions for the rule of law and democracy, an open political space, free institutions and respect for human rights are maintained;

6. Strongly encourages the Zambian Government to take into consideration the final recommendations of the EU Electoral Observation Mission on the 2016 elections, with particular reference to the need to remove the restrictive limitations on freedom of assembly in the Public Order Act, to guarantee the freedom and independence of the media, and to take all appropriate measures to prevent political violence;

7. Insists on the urgent need for a peaceful and constructive dialogue between the Patriotic Front and the UPND in order to restore political trust and stability; points out the responsibility of both parties to refrain from inciting and provoking violence and to create an environment conducive to an open democratic debate; welcomes the engagement and mediation role of international and regional partners in this regard, as well as the UN Human Rights Commission’s call for a dialogue to tackle political violence;

8. Supports the initiative of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Zambia and other civil society groups in calling for a peaceful dialogue between opposing parties;

9. Reiterates its strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances; welcomes the fact that no execution has been carried out in the country since 1997; invites Zambia to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with a view to the abolition of the death penalty;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the African Union Commission and the Pan-African Parliament, the Zambian Government and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

166 COMMENTS

  1. The fact that the so called democratic nations can tell us release a suspect before the court is indication that rule of law doesn’t exist and democracy is just a word.

    • Well won’t do it.

      EU is defunct. As a naturalised Scotswoman I don’t even know why we are even part of the EU

      People their voice isn’t anything to be alarmed about.

      They are falling apart. The Germans don’t want to be part of it. The UK are out of it – well soon.

      Let me summarise it very succinctly here.
      This should be ignored and we should it our way

      I have a PhD.

      Thanks

      BB2914,2016

    • And the likes of Mumbi, sunday and other Pf zealots will dismiss this as intheir tone; ‘ignorant and hired EU parliament’. Work up mother Zambia, soon sanctions will start following. We are going the Zimbabwe path at a very fast pace. Tendai Biti did make such an observation in his right up.

    • Typical of PF, Soon you will hear Frank Bwalya or Mumbi Phiri responding to the EU. Arresting HH was nothing but a stu,pid polical move.

    • @Mushota,
      we all know here that you have a PHD without value. I think if any of those institutions read your analysis here, they will be quick to ask you return the papers, as you are tarnishing their image. If not, it’s not a school I d send my child to. How the h.e.l.l did you come up with info that the Germans don’t want to be part of the EU, you must be dreaming or you have no clue. Can you be specific with which points you disagree on from the above report other than just barking. The point is that the international community is watching, and the case against HH is not getting anywhere. The problem is that you are not being objective in your analysis, therefore, you end up being on the wrong side. The EU has clearly laid down their justification, please read through carefully. At…

    • The EU has clearly laid down their justification, please read through carefully. At one time, many of you said EU had accepted the election, but if you are intelligent enough, you will realise that EU has an issue with the outcome of the Zambian Elections.
      By the way, this report shows they are gathering the information and following the situation in Zambia.
      I hope you and your fan club will not start barking saying you do not need EU or that EU is a colonialist, bla..bla…bla… That is what you do when confronted with facts, you start defending by using the same silly arguments. GROW UP, you people. STOP POISONING people here with your ridiculous comments.

    • @general kanene

      Unfortunately because you dont have a PhD , you will not be thinking at a level I am thinking at.
      That is why you have quickly run to try to discredit me and assassinate my character here..
      I am hurting over your comments.

      Merkel want to be part of EU , but the Germans themselves do not want to be. They have had unfortunate incidents with opening the boarders which have resulted in some terrorists acts in their country.
      As a result the her popularity has gown shear-shaped

      I hate educating Zambians, knowing I was educated by whites.

      EU ‘s core is those of struggling countries like Spain, Greece, Romania who are quiet frankly interested in migrating herein the Uk. You have aroused my temper!

      What is the matter with you!

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

    • The website tagged by article only takes you to a motion for a resolution which has been put together by a small group within the EU Parliament. It’s evident that this small group is responding to lobbiests. I searched further & couldn’t find any resolution. It will be strange if EU Parliament will adopt such a resolution without any research. There is a charge & the subject is attending trial. How can any reasonable institution seek to influence & short circumvent legal process. Justice is not administered in parliament but in courts of law. Parliament only deals with policy & what is in that motion document can’t represent EU policy. If so the EU rep in Zambia would’ve 1st started policy engagement with Zambian Gov’t. This article is misleading LT.

    • @Mushota,
      Again you are wrong, tell me of any Germany Party that they want to get out of the EU? If the Germans are against Merkel Refugee Policy, that doesn’t make you conclude that Germans want out of EU. And you just said it “unfortunate incidents”, do you really think those incidents are enough to drive Germany out of EU? Again, as usual, your cheap marketing tricks, that you are educated by Whites, again poor analysis assuming that you are the only one educated by whites. I was educated by the whites, I am 25years happily married to a white lady, my subordinates are all whites. And many many people here can relate, but do you see us bragging about that? Nope. Only ungrown person like you, sorry to say this, but its a fact. Stop educating Zambians, and instead educate yourself…

    • Stop educating Zambians, and instead educate yourself. You amassed papers (if at all true), but you lack experience and its evident from your analysis. Get a job, get experience then brag about your PHD, for now, its a piece of trash. Nothing against you as a person, though.

    • The issue is very clear these arrests are not genuine but political vendettas that is why the EU is moving in remember we have had treason cases in the country before and EU or other organisations did not move in but why this one? even a blind man can see the malice behind the arrest, the abuse of judicial processes. carder ism wont help let us call a sped a sped

    • #1 & 1.1: It’s simply because they are the same EU Countries Zambia gets donor support from. There are stakeholders in the affairs and management Zambia politically and economically. Once Zambia stops being a beggar, only then will it have a voice and freedom because poverty and freedom do not reconcile.

    • The motion is binding… only if you realize that…

      1. The EU buys you medicine for your hospitals otherwise you would be dying like flies.
      2. EU contribute to the IMF and world bank where you are trying to borrow money.

      Ask your neighbor Mugabe… they have reduced him to size

    • And Wrungu thought Zambia was “under a stone”! No, the world has become such a small place, and it is watching you. If you continue abusing the public institutions for your own and your cronies selfish reasons, you soon not be able to travel anywhere outside Zambia, which means you won’t be able to access the loot you holding in foreign countries !! And you wont be able to access EuroBonds, IMF, etc. Ask your friend KK

    • If blocking the Presidential motorcade is allowed in EU. Then let them release those terrorists they are holding for threatening to bomb ordinary places. EU is rubbish that is why its disintegrating.

    • LT the updated version of the resolution reads better and is more balanced than the skeleton motion. Your headline is wrong, however. There is nowhere in the statement where the EU is calling for the release of the UPND president. The EU is simply requesting for a fair & constitutional process while encouraging dialogue. It would be folly for the EU to try & short circuit the Zambian justice system. Please read the resolution & compare it with your title. You need to update your title also.

    • The government through the Attorney general can seek an end to all the cases through entering a Nole Prosequi.Is that difficult for you to understand .Nobody is telling the court to do anything but the Government are in the driving seat in this case .Surely that is not complicated now is it ?

    • PF you are not aware what is coming your way if you continue on this path. Zim is better developed and see what has happened to that country. Only if you had your own financial muscle but you only have a huge appetite for borrowing. And the supporters wait for real had times.

    • My stern advice to Lungu is do the right. Go to court and prove you won those elections. He has now been campaigned for HH. HH is now more popular than him in the global. Who is advising Lungu?

    • I’ve checked many media sources but can’t find this story. Besides it’s up to the courts to decide the course of the case and I am sure that’s’ what they do in Europe except Turkey.

    • @ Mushota, which Zambian are you educating certainly not me. If you showed some intelligence maybe be I would want to learn from you, but as it stands I think I will pass.

  2. Lungu is a criminal and if he fails to heed the warning, sanctions should be imposed on him and his fellow thugs and arrests should be made if he tries to go outside Zambia. Shame that SADC and the so fallen AU have been quiet on Zambia

    • Even the people who left the colonial laws are telling us that they are primitive….I told this Lazy Sausage that he will not be able to deal with the blowback from this unnecessary issue. Please let one empty tin shout we are sovereign state without thinking of whose taxpayers fund Zambia’s budget and where you got your Eurobonds.

    • Iwe swaini JJ, ask yourself who killed Saddam Hussein? is that not being double standard? Think before you support this maggoti called Haina Haina

    • @Pujambe its seriously wrong for you to ask for Mushota to be deported. Just look at her English. A Scotswoman talking like that and for sure she keeps stressing she has a PHD. It is a PHD in house keeping she is a maid in UK living mu servant’s quarter. Shame on Mushota. CAN SHE BE DEPORTED WITHOUT FAIL SHE IS A DISGRACE TO AFRICAN HUMANITY.

    • @Mushota wise advice, stop bragging about you PHD every time you post your comments it just reveals your deep rooted inferiority complex be proud of who you are for once…

    • Mushota leaves here in Zambia, kanyama. He…he is not educated as he has managed to lie throughout.

    • Mushota enough with your silly qualification. You are not the first to hold a PhD nor will you be the last. There are a lot of young Zambian women who are more qualified than you and I don’t see them parading their qualifications. I was also educated by white people but the person I learnt from the most is my late grandmother from Chilubula!

  3. Utter nonsense – do we demand who they should release and imprison?
    Zambia is governed by our own laws and NOT EU parliament. We all know that Zambia has a bright future, no wonder its rated the 5th most attractive place for investment on global scale – so every jim and jack wants to be associated with this well cultured country and characters like EU are stepping beyond their bounderies.
    This is what makes me think HH can sell this country to anyone just like he did the mines.

    ABASH HH 2021 and beyond.

  4. Mushota if that’s your real name, you live in a democratic country were you can protest any time wish your fellow Zambians to be under this or indepence law ….I doubt if you have a PhD an I think that name Mushota you use is a pseudo name.

    • Jack I have a PhD and would gladly live to prove to you if I have your email address.

      Just because you are unable to attain one doesn’t mean others can’t.

      Your jealous will consume you if you don’t give credit where it’s due

      And yes this my forename. All Zambian names although I hate zambia.

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

  5. so the so called EU parliament would like ECL to disregard the court process and and break the law by releasing a suspect? do they do that in europe? the due process of the law must be followed and if HH is innocent let the court decide. stop MEDDLING you colonizers!

    • So called 1mbecile has made his daily crapping in public. Arshole, without “so called EU Parliament” your Permanent Failure can dream about IMF loan.

    • No, EU are not asking for the release of HH. They are simply asking for a fair trial and good treatment while he is in custody

  6. With this EU Resolution and the Statement from the USA govt the dice is cast and Dictator Lungu and his Cabal will soon be slapped with Economic,Financial and Travel Sanctions. Mutati should kiss Goodbye to IMF Loan and Donor Aid from the West. Lungu should Release HH and his workers unconditionally and begin the process of Hearing the Petition. AU and SADC should step up to the Plate and start mediating in the Zambian Crisis whose root cause is flawed ,disputed and Petitioned 2016 Election. Without the Petition Hearing and the Court declaring the Winner of that Election duly elected there wont be peace in Zambia.

  7. When your neighbour on the left tells you that the zip of your trousers is open, but decide to dismiss him.
    You keep on walking till you meet the neighbour on your right tells you about the open zipper. You dismiss him & keep on walking.

    You meet your teacher, your ex-GF, your workmates, your boss who tell you the same thing: your zipper is open!! But refuse to look down & hide your pee-pee. Only a f00l, or a retarded man can behave in such a manner.

    EU, Obasanjo, Jacob Zuma, Vernon Mwaanga, Catholic priests, Raila Odinga, British High Commissioner etc. are just wasting their time. PF’s hearts are hardened. Wait till Mumbi Phiri responds. Sunday Chanda is busy composing a primitive marketeer-type response (in broken english) which she can’t even read.

    lungu is so obsessed with…

    • CONT’D…

      lungu is so obsessed with being recognized becoz of the shameful way he attained victory in the scam Aug ’16 elections. He became jealous of the reception HH received in Mongu. The snub by HH & the entire crowd just before lungu could make his speech was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The hatred & jealous by lungu will take him to an early grave. Now there are strong rumours that even his health is failing him.

      Be like Mwanawasa who in 2001 also rigged his way into state house using Nikuv system. He didn’t persecute Mazoka. He went on his way & fought corruption & fixed the economy. By 2006, he had won the hearts of all Zambians & beat Sata genuinely. Be the bigger man lungu.

      Don’t be a WEAKLING who fights his opponents after having them tied down. BE…

    • What I fail to understand is how can you win 52 seats in parliament and your opponent wins 82 seats + 12 independents who were just not adopted by your opponents party machinery and come out that the election was stolen from me??? Why should your opponent prove himself to you when he had a clear nationwide endorsement than you who had regional acceptance and still failed to get a seat in the major urban areas?? How can you say Mwanawasa didn’t persecute Mazoka, is Mazoka on record of insulting the Speaker?? Is Mazoka on record of insulting Judges?? Is Mazoka on record as telling his supporters Mwanawasas’s days in state house are getting shorter while mine are getting closer?? We have recorded another bumper harvest, the exchange rate is reducing, the big mining firms are reinvesting…

    • …billions of dollars in their mines as the price of copper recovers and output soars, WHICH ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING?????

    • @ zambian citizen. What u are failing to understand is that provinces don’t have equal number of constituencies. And different constituencies have different populations. So number of seats won is not an accurate method to measure headcount. Even Sata won majority but had less number of seats than MMD & UPND, that’s how he started appointing MPs from opposition & causing unnecessary costly bye-elections.

      It’s a pity you haven’t been to the country of late to witness the hardships the people are going through. Even PF die-hards have confessed that times are hard.

      – The bumper harvest you are boasting about won’t translate to a lower mealie-meal price or end of hunger. Have you forgotten the stampede earlier this year?

      – The investment from big mining houses doesn’t translate to…

    • CONT’D….

      – The investment from big mining houses doesn’t translate to positive BOPs. Profits are being externalized to tax havens. Just go to ActionAid website & see how the mines do it.

      – A stronger kwacha is not being translated into jobs for the youth, lower cost of living. The reserves have been depleted just to stabilize the kwacha. BoZ is refusing to print money to pay internal Govt creditors. In short the Kwacha’s value is fake & hollow.

      Stop living on fantasy-island.

      Real men develop a thick hippo skin to criticism or insults. Only sissies, ga_ys & weaklings react like lungu. There is a big economic crisis that needs serious attention rather than abusing state institutions to fix political opponents.

      Go tell your president to BE THE BIGGER MAN!!!

    • @Maloza: ECL had ave. turnout in his 6 provinces at 53% against a vote of 71%. hh had ave. voter turnout of 63% against a vote of 84% (this is official ECZ) that is why hh’s total was closer to ECLs. If ECL’s average was closer to hh’s, the gap would have been above 400,000!!
      -When a country is going through a commodity rout like Zambia or Ghana, you expect everything to be rosy??? People have to work even extra hard, they have to cut down on luxuries and not expect the government to spoon feed them.
      -Bumper harvest only guarantees food security as millers are private companies that set their own prices even if FRA gives them subsidised maize!! Stampede?? lazy people go to get freebies and they stamp on each other and your upnd would support such st.u.p.idity?? How can a normal…

    • …hard working citizen wake up at 0300hrs to go get handouts when you can conserve the energy up to 0500hrs and go put in an honest shift of work and feed, cloth and educate your family??
      -Investments in the mines translates to higher production, more exports, which means more taxes (both corporate and royalties) and more people employed. Remember what happened when production and price went up during Mwanawasa’s time????????????
      -A stronger kwacha means cheaper imports, my learned friend, didn’t you do that in basic economics?? Meaning, the little money I give madam for groceries in Shoprite will be more, tefyo yama???
      LIKE I HAVE TOLD YOU, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IS FOR YOU PEOPLE WHO HAD HOPED THERE WILL BE HUNGER AND RIOTS, SO YOU CAN ESCORT hh TO STATE HOUSE…never going to…

    • You beat your wife and you y neighbor reports to police when I rested at she is my wife so I have the right to beat her,no bwana your wife has her rights too.Zambia is answerable to UN and the world order,no country is an island.

    • @ Zambian citizen, just google SANTIAGO, click on images & come back & tell me what we did wrong. They also produce a commodity called copper, just like we do.

      Times are hard in Zambia even for the employed. There’s no money in circulation.

      THE ECONOMY HAS COLLAPSED. Govt has no capacity to repay Eurobonds when they mature in 2021. IMF bailout is expected to stimulate the economy so that Govt can collect enough revenue by 2021. If they default on Eurobonds, all hell will break loose.

      Use logic to reason, NOT emotions or tribe.

    • So you are in a better position to know what will happen between now and 2021?? In 2015, every upnd supporter predicted riots before the elections due to the drought we had that year, with the exchange rate hitting K14 to $1, you sang DOOM for the country and called ECL a curse. AND WHERE ARE WE TODAY??? I have really lost faith in your doomsday ammageadon politics which have always yielded the opposite whenever you predict anything. “If they default on Eurobonds, all hell will break loose…HOW DO YOU SOLICIT VOTES BY SCARING THE VERY PEOPLE THAT CAN VOTE FOR YOU??? 2021 WE ARE VOTING FOR PF; IT’S DUNUNA AGAIN!!!!!!

  8. You are playing with fire ask Mugbe in Zimbabwe they EU gives a lot of aid when you are asking for money you don’t say you have your own laws! Let then give Lungu and his PF Government sanctions then you will know remember they did it under KK and he was forced out!

  9. EU please advise these pf monkeys.they are killing innocent Zambians,they are stealing from innocent Zambians,they are busy pocketing our resources,drinking Jameson and dancing dununa reverse…

    • You are the monkey because you are thinking from your backside.

      The EU have crossed a line.

      Ignore them

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

    • @Mushota ka niio:
      LOL! Even if “The EU have crossed your Monkey line”….what are going to do about it? You wont even Quit Europe and even if you did, that would be Good riddance!!

  10. Where as the elections were rigged, where as they are trying to kill UPND just like they have done with the post newspaper, please EU and US don’t give any cent to these misfits as they are up to know good. Lungu is a shameless dictator whose ending will be so grevious and all these charlatans misleading him will scamper and hide like rats running from a burning fire. The EU have spoken now we await Donald Trump to call for sanctions and halt the IMF bailout. Release HH now.

    • Useless contribution

      Well follow the law and act properly and the law will then NOT visit you.

      What is wrong with you?
      Post were tax evaders and quiet rightfully they should NEVER come back

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

    • @ Mushota, know how shallow you are, I tend to ignore you. But want to let you know that the problem with us is YOU. Start acting like humans even though your are a MONKEY… PLEASE

  11. Lungu is busy Zimbabweanising the Zambian situation. Thats how Mugabe destroyed the Zimbabwe economy. Lungu is taking advice from Dictator Mugabe who is telling him that in spite of Sanctions Zimbabwe is still there and he is firmly in power. Lungu is trying to emulate Mugabe by consolidating his One Man Party Dictatorship in Zambia. The Zambian Economy is not resilient to withstand Sanctions but Lungu surrounded by Criminals does not understand that. So No IMF Loan and No Western Donor Aid. The Zambian Economy will collapse and Lungu believes he is armed to the teeth to crush any opposition to his Rule. We have a young Robert Mugabe in charge in Zambia now. Under Dictator Lungu Zambia is doomed. Come next Monday when Dictator Lungu takes HH to Mukobeko Prison things will fall apart…

  12. When the Europeans used the Public order act of Africans, it was alright for them. They should have gone back home with it. Zambia is an Independent Country with its own rule of law. The courts of law should determine who get released or who does not.

    • So you should do as you like just because you are controlling the police and the national assets. Zambia is not an island!

  13. Mushota you say you hate zambia and zambian men!!!
    With that statement leave us alone.
    U must be related to lungu for you to be supporting him blindly.

    • Individually I love Zambians men or women

      Collectively I dont like them – as group that is.

      I don’t know how you decipher that, but the consolation is, you as a person I like you I suppose

      As a group I hate them with every fiber of my being

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

    • Mushota just bend down, take off your kabudula and have a good long scan at your p.u.s.s.y. Is it black or white. So why the h.e.l.l do you hate Negros’s. Cool down and love us Zambians especially U.P.N.D

    • You hate Zambia, but you want to speak on it. Better still wish it development, but in absentia by the same Zambians you hate ‘irony’. If you are happy in the west that’s great. People who have achieved more don’t speak about themselves, others do and respect them.

      Now moving onto the above issue, the resolution as stated by @The Chosen is correct. LT have not posted all of it, and neither does it say ‘release HH’. In any case if the EU/West felt that way, Boma would not be receiving any money. The World Bank just gave them $200mn, when the west is ready for you to go they will do so or make your country like a Zimbabwe. Except Uncle Bob has been defiant, and the west don’t own their natural resources unlike us who don’t.

  14. IS THIS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT?? THE EU HAS A SECRETARIAT HERE IN ZAMBIA, WHY WOULD THEY CHOOSE TO PUBLISH A STATEMENT WHEN THEY CAN ENGAGE THE GOVERNMENT OR ITS AFRICAN UNION COUNTERPARTS?? WHILE THIS “MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION” EXISTS ON THEIR WEBSITE, IT DOESN’T APPEAR ON ANY MAJOR EUROPEAN MEDIA AS A STATEMENT BUT ONLY APPEARS ON THE ZAMBIAN WATCHDOG??

    • There is a motion that has been moved but no resolution yet. LT has added lies to the motion and say a resolution has been passed.

  15. Mushota has a PHD in foolishness ! because all she specialises in is absurd ness , childishness , pettiness and total lack of insight and analytical thinking. She earned her PHD on line in Lusaka times. I told you gus she was illegal immigrant.

  16. A better way of dealing with Zambia’s current politics surely could be found no doubt , and it must be patriotically and genuinely be emphasised that the PF and UPND must do introspection on themselves.Both are thorny. But l must say too that the foreign forces are not genuine players in this matter gauging from their language ,and to me they are themselves a cause for concern and not our UPND and PF. Look around Africa and the world at large. How many bloody conflicts are going on? Why are they not saving lives there ? Now the whole EU wants to come to Zambia.. I have no respect and let alone confidence in these demons

    • You know what Spy? You have hit the nail on the head! Why are they not talking/discussing for instance the conflict in Congo, S. Sudan? they have big interests in those countries. minerals in Congo and the oil in Sudan. How many brothers and sisters have we lost and still continue losing on a daily basis particularly in the two countries I mentioned? countless! Just like you have stated, “I have no respect ant let alone confidence in in these demons.” Pale devils, thy they will be!! Thumbs up Spy Mashra!

    • I don’t take this EU statement so seriously, it sound so misguided. do they not have their own representation here in Zambia? We’re a sovereign state. You pf guys stop running to these former colonialists for funding, if it means eating cassava, so let it be, than being insulted. I guess this statement is fake, so i will reserve my comments for now.

  17. You can tell who is new to the site by just looking at how they react to one blogger…its like year old Zebras at a croc infested river they are visiting for the first time and are eager to drink at all costs!

  18. It’s very boring to hear some people here who are so obsessed with Ph.D. Drawing strength from paper qualification is the first resort of scoundrels. They will not miss to tell you that they have a Ph.D. or MS. this and that which in my mind amounts to nothing in the real world. In real life it’s not what you know or have that matters. It’s what you do with what you have and know that matters and people don’t care about Ph.D. because quite frankly there are so many of us with the f#%@ing Ph.D. and we have packed the transcripts without ramming it down people’s throats that we have Ph.Ds. At my house they call me dad, at church they call me brother and at my village they say Ndate and no where do they ever call me Doctor except my students and also tell them to tone down and be real…

  19. I think the right organization to respond should be AU not EU.

    This shows that HH is supported by people outside Africa.

    We reject any European influence in Zambian politics.

    Zambia is for Zambians

    • It doesn’t mean when you are an opposition leader u can do whatever you want.

      Why do you think AU is quiet? They know the man is wrong.

      All the court deal with the issue.

      I will personally intending to take HH to court so that he explains to me his role in the privatization of the mines.

      And at what point did he become rich?

      Most Zambians are not educated but I’m going to help you exposing HH for who he truly is. A thieve or innocent!

  20. All of us (Haters of HH and us his Advocates) know that it is just a matter of days and HH will be a free man. Hate him or like him, Muzungu a kamba.

  21. Where is the rule of law and democracy these double standard colonialists sing about if they can force the president to interfere with the courts of law..? They should be cited for contept of court. Hh is just a suspect like any other suspect in remand. Plz EU, advise your hh to respect other people’s rights and respect the head of state before u push our president to break the law by directing the courts to release your business partner..hh..! Hh’s hate speech is a recipe for anarchy in the country.

  22. If the foreign institutions are able to see through the mistakes in the governance of our country, then you know we are treading on the wrong path. So far no foreign organization has praised this regime for the way they are treating HH.Local and foreign institutions are protesting bad leadership in this country including their own people within PF.They have made HH a scapegoat for the failure on the part of the police to do their job in Mongu.Why wasn’t the route the President used in Mongu not cleared in good time like the way it happens in Lusaka? These are some of the questions that would be posed in the upcoming treason case.

  23. This is the outcome of involving the outside world in financial assistance..They think they have the upper hand and can just give directives anyhow. The question the EU should ask themselves is why is the POA still antiquated? If they have followed Zambian politics with keen interest, they should know that ECL tried with all his might to have the POA repealed through the referendum which was held along side the 2016 general elections. But his efforts met greater resistance from HH who campaigned against this noble cause. So as at now, Zambia is heavily dependent on the police to bring order in the country through the POA. Zambia is a country of laws and surely the law will take it’s own course.

    • @27: Are you confusing the referendum on the Bill of Rights and Public Order Act? I thought the two are completely different.

    • Ask Mugabe and Zimbabwean muzungu ni muzungu ngati buga akamba its done.We shall if Lungu will stop them to see HH at Mukobeko when they come to investigate torture allegations?Wina a zilila ask Gadafi or Sadam whose ka Lungu kaminamisa?

    • @27.1, the great is not confusing anything. Had the referendum on the Bill of Rights fine through many provisions of PoA would have fallen through including heavy handed restriction on freedom to assemble. Any objective person shouldn’t have had a problem with BoR. Only those who placed party politics above the interests of the nation had a problem with it. People never even bothered to read & understand that GRZ was giving up rights to people under BoA.

  24. For get it, it is the work of watchdog and their UPNdonkeys. EU is a diplomat institution why can’t they do it diplomatically

  25. MY PROBLEM WITH THESE FOREIGN ORGANISATIONS LIKE EU, UN, ETC IS THAT THEIR ACTIONS TO END POLITICAL LEADERSHIP BY AFRICAN NINCOMPOOPS IS ONLY BY ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND TRAVEL BAN ON GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS….

    Its like a wife who is caught committing adultery then husband stops buying food at home, locks the home…ending in punishing even children because of adulterous wife….

    It happened in Zimbabwe, instead of kicking Bob Mugabe, they imposed sanctions on Zimbos, travel ban on Zim Government official… then Zimbos were all over as street adults.

    IF SUCH HAPPENS HERE IN ZAMBIA,,, DO THESE PF LEADERS CARE? They will continue mismanagement, dictatorship, corruption, stealing, abuse of human rights, and MISERY will be on common Zambia.

    THEY NEED TO BE PROACTIVE….

  26. The EU Parliament must be full of dunderheads. release HH under which law? And how come Zambia is subscribing to European Union? Is Zambia in Europe now? That is trash. We can only release HH if Trump attacks Zambia.

  27. In case the EU has forgotten, Zambia is not part of and has never been a member of the EU. So you can’t direct a sovereign nation on what to do regarding their own laws unless of course you are still thinking this is colonialism.

  28. These European pigs must understand that Zambia is a sovereign state, We will not accept stupidity from you…We have our own system . You dirty pigs

  29. Are we sure we can manage to leave in lawlessness in this country. Do we know the consequences of leaving according to the dectates of the foreign regime? Ask our neighbors. It seems we do not read and watch the world wide trends in anarchists. So it means only a leader of a leading political party and be arrested on trumped up charges and the rest of the people are arrested on genuine charges! That’s so strange a world we leave in. God help us. We have so many prisoners who are in prisons for a long time without completing their trials. One HH has the whole world crying. It’s like the death of a drug addict but rich woman whose death attract the attention of the whole world than the death a malnourished girl who dies in Ukwimi resettlement scheme. Crooks!!

  30. If such resolutions came from EU then am left wondering if these guys still want to colonize African countries. Anyway, Zambia is a sovereign state with it own policies and laws aimed at solving Zambian issues. It would be prudent if the Judicial arm of the EU echoed this not parliament. I advise our leaders to be strong and never to follow anything being imposed by these red faced human beings. EU should respect the people of Zambia for their choice than wanting to peddle their agenda on us..thnx

    • You can only be respected if you manage your own financial affairs and dont ask always for financial help from other coutries which makes you a slave in modern ways!

  31. The main reasons why HH and his workers are in Jail are:
    1.HH beat Lungu in the 2016 Election
    2.HH & GBM Petitioned the flawed and stolen Election.
    3. HH nine months after the 2016 Election is still insisting that the Petition be heard in Court. To Lungu thats a taboo and allowing the Petition to be heard in Court is as good as convicting himself of Electoral Fraud and committing Treason becoz Lungu abrogated the Zambian Constitution.
    4. Stubborn HH is refusing to recognize Lungu as a Legitimate President becoz HH accuses Lungu of stealing his election victory.
    We have a Stalemate so AU and SADC must intervene and mediate the Dispute just like AU and ECOWAS did in Gambia. After freeing HH let AU and SADC facilitate the Election Hearing Process and that Court should declare the Winner…

  32. Peace my fellow human beings….remember that whatever stage you reach in life there is always someone either better than you or worse than you.

  33. Let Mushota alone. She has a PHD. Her analysis must be perfect. But HH should be released because he was politically arrested. There is too much partial rule of law in Zambia today.

  34. This is Zambia and not EU, doing what EU says is against our law. It doesn’t mean anything western is okay. Next time they will tell us to be walking in streets naked and we will follow. We are a sovereign state respected and known by God and not people without morals. Democracy is not taught but inborn, we are faar much better than them because we do not interfere in their internal affairs. we will stand by God’s law not gays, beastisms and lesbians to preach to us. We can never be shaken by any mortal man, the hard they fabricate stories the easier we overcome them. Gen. 15:1

  35. Just listening to BBC, a report says EU parliament is taking action against Hungary. Google this: “European Parliament chastises Hungary on rights, eyes sanctions process”. The Zambian story is only on watchdog and zambiareports.

    • Of course,EU will first deal with its members.
      You should ask why the AU with dictators like Mugabe and Museveni is sleeping when the continent is experiencing political strife..

  36. Tell ECL that he should forget about getting assistance from major bilateral partners like Sweden,Finland and Germany who are EU members..No relief for Zambia after it swallows the bitter IMF medication.I see the 1986 food riots coming back again..

  37. EU again? Its just some EU representative in Zambia who wrote this crap. Why cant the EU first publicly lecture HH to start respecting the Head of State President Lungu, otherwise their relevance is questionable.
    EU must focus its energy on averting more Brexits than pop theirs noses in our affairs. We stay in Zambia and we know that hh is a criminal, period!

  38. Mushota is the most Person on earth to obtain a PHD. I now total agree with my 8 teacher who used to say they are some educated fools. One such is Mushota. Who told you that Germans want to leave the EU? You have just exposed your dullness , a PHD holder does not behave like this. He or she is well informed. For your own Information Angel Merkel the Germany Canncesoller with CDU has just won two provincial elections ahead of the main Elections in September this year. And for sure you she is winning.

  39. Catholics Bishops are wrong, Nigerian former President is wrong, LAZ is wrong, N.G.O.S are wrong, and now the EU parliament is wrong. The Judge who dismissed the insulting language is wrong. Are these guys in PF normal? Every who advises is wrong. Awe mwandi mwee. Learn to listen please.

    You have also chaps like Mushota who take such things like they are jokes. May be he or she I’m not sure of the sex must be a PF thug employed to issue useless comments on every important issue.

  40. Malinso – Ya Ya Ya you are Malinso. Is it a a treason offence to refuse to recognise Wrungu. We also had some chaps in the USA after the election of Tramp who refused to recognise him as their president. even matching with placards. Were they charged with treason? When the opposition wants to address its members your master stops them. Why is he scared? Allow them to interact freely all this noise will go. Dull.
    Do you understand what democracy is. You president has just failed to manage groupings of divergent views. That is where his failure is. To try and make everyone agree with him is where his failure starts from.

  41. My own take on this is that EU Parliament is completely offside on this matter. As legislators from the so-called developed European they should surely have some rudimentary knowledge of the separation of powers even in the so-called developing countries. HH’s case is in court, but are they suggesting that the executive branch, through ECL, should interfere in the judicial process. Is that kind of thing allowed in any European country? I am also curious if they have seen the blockade of HH’s of the presidential motorcade in Limulunga. Would they tolerate that kind of reckless behaviour by any opposition leader in any of their countries?

  42. The EU parliament just wants to make easy news. They can go to hell! This HH chap is a threat to the peace and unity of Zambia, because he is a tribalist to the core. That is why he chose the Kuomboka Ceremony to engage in a potentially peace-threatening drag race with the President’s motorcade.

  43. [email protected] – What have you seen to be convinced that he or she has got a PhD?. Do you think some one with a PhD can have the time he or she has to spend at Lusaka the way he or has been doing?

  44. Facts – The arrest is not a criminal matter but political. ECL has repeatedly warned his opponent that he will deal with. How does he do this? In his personal capacity? No.Through the same so called executive? Are there any laws in this country? No?. The court issued an order to release his vehicles, was it obeyed? Ministers continued stay in office was at ECL insistence. After the Concourts ruling have they repaid the money? The Constitution required ECL to step down after elections and hand over to the speaker, if there is a petition, did he obey that? The list is endless. This means ECL is controlling the courts and he can order for his release. It is really difficult at the point we have reached for you supporters of Edgar to convince anyone that you are genuine. Anyway good lack.

  45. @Mushota…its not about Jealousy mama…the way you articulate issues matters.You claim to have a PHD yet you cant substantiate a simple analysis…but matako chabe PHD…grow up and be realistic ba Mushota.We love you…

  46. The late Kapwepwe once said, “Umusungu aba nobusungu” which translates as “The Whiteman has poison”.
    The interest of the European Union in Zambian politics is unprecedented. The question is why? The answer is simple and it can be found in Kapwepwe’s book Africa Twasebana. the whiteman wants your blood and my blood. The whiteman wants your minerals and my minerals. They will, therefore, support the person that is most likely to give them passage to these things. Wake up Zambia.

  47. The State prosecutors do NOT have any admissible evidence to back their treason charge on HH. Period.

  48. To hell with the EU European union, mind you this is Zambia.
    Just know what is good with your country.
    Zambia is gorvened by the laws within its……. … …………!

  49. The matter is court and no one has powers to terminate court proceedings. You can not urge the Zambian Government to release Hakainde Hichilema who is rightly before the courts disregarding his irresponsible and provocative behaviour that has been hurting other people since August 2016.

    We certainly need the Opposition in Zambia ,but it must be one the offers constructive criticism to the governance of the country.Offer alternative solutions to the government of the day. The UPND should inspire the Zambians first in order for them to be considered as a government in waiting.

    For now the conduct of the UPND is appalling, disrespectful bent of bringing confusion in the country.As a Zambian I would appeal to all organisations put pressure on the government and demanding the release of…

  50. WHO IS THIS MUSHOTA?????? SO BEMBA MONKEY GENES RELATED DISORDER WITH PHD IN STUPIDIY AMD BEBA THINKING

  51. whereas on 13 November 2017 the EU Election Observation Mission delivered its final report, stating that the 2016 general elections were prepared in a largely professional manner but that both major political parties made statements that inflamed tensions during the campaign, leading to several serious incidents of violence;
    Time really flies, we have already reached 2018 looking at dates in the report.

  52. The headline is very misleading. When you read the resolutions in English, they are soliciting for fairness in the whole process of justice for the incarcerated opposition leader. It is wrong for Kelvin to react the way he has done. He did not understand anything when he read through the resolutions of EU

    • True. The headline is misleading. The whole resolution is in form of a plea for fairness and dialogue. There is literally no part that has called for the release of HH, Even if one reads between lines.

      Infact they are telling HH to tone down and follow the law. They have acknowledged that ECL won the 2016 erections with a low margin.

  53. Only an Educated F.O.OL will believe such propaganda. Check EU site and you wont find this hallucination.

    • This is what is on EU site:
      Exterior shots of the EP, Strasbourg
      00:00:09
      ZAMBIA, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema :
      The 2016 elections in Zambia was marred by violent clashes between supporters of the two leading parties, the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development (UPND, the opposition party); The UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, who was arrested together with five of his employees by heavily armed police officers in a raid on his house on 11 April. He was accused of endangering the President’s life by allegedly obstructing the presidential motorcade in Mongu on 9 April, and was immediately charged with treason, a non-bailable offence in Zambia, as well as with disobeying statutory duty, disobeying lawful orders and using insulting language; whereas…

  54. …. whereas he rejected all these allegations. Both the EU and the United States have expressed concern at the incarceration of the opposition leader and have called for a peaceful dialogue between the government and the UPND to ease the tensions that have grown between the two parties.
    00:00:10
    SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), rapporteur,
    The close elections last year seen incumbent President Lungu narrowing beat the opposition Hakainde Hichilema the potential to jeopardize that success concerns are first raised after the Constitutional Court quickly dismissed Hichilema electoral petition with events coming to a head off of the bizarre arrest of Hichilema on charges of treason.
    00:00:33
    SOUNDBITE (English), Soraya POST (S&D, SE),
    The leader of the opposition…

    • … Hakainde Hichilema as been arrested on trumped charges. The government accuses him of treason but has not presented the thread of evidence against him. Mr Hichilema arrest is just the tip of the iceberg civil societies is attack, the judiciary and police is politicised.
      00:00:56
      SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRE?U, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy,
      Zambia has traditionally been a peaceful and democratic nation in a neighbourhood so often marked by political instability and human rights violations. It is therefore of all concern that’s Zambia’s democratic trajectory is being questioned, particularly since the highly contested August 2016 elections which reveal the polarised nature of the country. The arrest of the opposition leader at Hakainde Hichilema on 11 April 2017…

    • … resulted in increased political tensions towards the EU was quick to respond by calling all partners to refrain on any action which may aggravate the situation.

  55. Guy Scott at work!!!! no doubt. Ignore the characters. Let them give him asylum. The fellow put the life of our beloved President ECL in danger.

  56. whereas the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Zambia has criticised the brutal arrest of the country’s main opposition leaders and decried the use of the national police to apparently prevent the organisation and general functioning of the political opposition

    Catholic church, and that is all you needed to know.

  57. Forget the EU on HH and our POA. The remaining countries can’t speak English now that UK is backing out. HOW DARE THEY EXPECT US TO PUT UP WITH SOMEONE WHO IS CAUSING SO MUCH STRIFE IN ZAMBIA. Put HH on one of those Boats to their shores if they like him so much.

    As Zambians it’s up to us to support our government and not allow these decadent Euro’s boss us around. HH must face our Legal System and be judged on our Laws. There is NO EU JURISDICTION within our boarders. fact is if we end up like Syria, and the other waring countries, they won’t take in Zambian Asylum seekers. its worth understanding how this EU region works.

    • All they want is to plunder our Mines now that we are rising up as leading producers. You can see how Westerners function in the international economy. They now want a war and sanctions to hold us back, downgrade our currency, and hold the price of copper and other commodities back.

    • I Advise the government to stop taking development funding from the EU. They seem to think it gives them power to misrepresent facts as they are in Zambia. Really when has the EU countries ever had respect for Africans anyway? They just think we are like little school kids they can boss around.

  58. So your only response to Mushota’s contributions (she has a right to air her opinion and views) is to insult her? Shame on you! If she has a PhD it’s hers. So what if she wants to flaunt it.. and you wish to hide yours??!! Please let’s not resort to insulting other bloggers. Discuss issues!!

  59. Mushota, you have a fan and fans. Keep it up.
    Actually you should be made MP for Mazabuka to replace that moribund Nkombo, the tongas in Mazanuka could do with a bemba MP. For the avoidance of doubt I mean Dr Mushota.

  60. Those who have been blogging here for a long time know that whatever the species Mushota is, we have been subjected to statements, claims, insults, albeit incoherent and sometimes utterly despicable, intended only to provoke and play with serious minded bloggers minds. It is a ploy (that seems to be working on some) to divert from constructive debate. For the most, I ignore the outpourings – I am only putting this across for the newcomers and the uninitiated. I can assure you that even the PhD claim doesn’t exist.

  61. Meanwhile, the EU has called on Germany and UK to allow immigrants and not stopping them or caging them! And Germany and UK have welcomed these proposals thanking the EU for standing up for rights of immigrants! Kekekeke!

  62. 1. Nothing is binding from the EU parliament resolution so mind your excitement if you are a UPNDonkey.
    2. Note that they are calling for efforts to dialogue on the part of both government and UPND
    3. Note that EU is NOT threatening anything, just the other day EU Ambassadors in Zambia reaffirmed their commitment and support to Zambia
    4. Nothing and no one will get HH out of correction except the courts of law.

    My personal opinion is that if correcting HH and reclaim him from becoming a fully fledged donkey requires him to sleep in faeces on the floor, so let it be. The end justifies the means.

  63. Have you noticed how EU or anyone else is talking about HH BUT NOT his coaccused or others like Obvious Mwaliteta and even Elisha Matambo. If HH is released, for all they care his co accused are not relevant and can effectively rot in jail.

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