Friday, March 29, 2024

Uphold human rights, Amnesty International Chief tells President Lungu

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President Edgar Lungu confers with Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty during courtesy call on the President at State House
President Edgar Lungu confers with Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty during courtesy call on the President at State House

Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty has urged President Edgar Lungu to uphold human rights of all, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, the organization said today after their meeting.

Mr. Shetty who met with President Lungu at state house yesterday during his high level mission to Zambia that he reinforced the need for government to respect and protect fundamental human rights.

“Zambia is facing a number of human rights challenges. Police constantly use the vague and overly broad provisions of the Public Order Act to limit the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. The recent threatened state of emergency was a low point,” said Mr. Shetty.

“Zambians have everything to gain and nothing to lose from the country’s history of freedoms that has characterized it since independence.”

Mr Shetty said since President Edgar Lungu was re-elected in August 2016, the space for any kind of political dissent or freedom of expression shrank dramatically.

He said police used the vague provisions of the Public Order Act and the Penal Code to limit the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Mr Shetty said in the run up to the elections in August 2016, political campaigning was restricted and the independent media came under attack for its critical reporting of government’s activities.

And President Lungu yesterday confirmed that he held a cordial meeting with Mr. Shetty who was accompanied by Regional Director Deprose Muchena and her Deputy in Charge of Campaigns Muleya Mwananyanda.

President Lungu said the discussion was centered on three main issues which are death penalty, land acquisition and human rights.
On the death penalty, President Lungu said he made it clear that he does not support it as a deterrent.

“On land, I believe in protecting the poor from displacement by the rich. I will always side with the poor and the disempowered. No investor must displace people without taking care of communal graving land. On human rights, I remain committed to upholding human rights and protecting the less privileged. I will ensure that Zambia remains an open society that respects human rights,” President Lungu said.

“During our discussion, I advised Amnesty International to not only take interest in Zambia when a matter involving the rich or powerful people arises, but to take a similar interest when human rights issues affect poor people. This is because poor people, by nature, are disempowered and require protection from human rights organisations and the Government.

President Lungu added, “I encourage Amnesty International to work in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission while in Zambia to go all around the country and examine allegations of abuses.”

50 COMMENTS

    • Fake human rights. 1diots are supposed to pay for their evil. Freedom to insult others ati human rights. Let’s just abolish political gathering or rallies for good. This is combonical for real.

    • Uphold Human Rights,,,,,???? Look who is talking,,,please Mr shetty or whatever your name is… go talk to Trump about Human rights and also talk to your fellow indians back in India about Human rights….

      Anyway
      2021 vote PF (Edgar)

      i thank you

    • Thats the reason most of these organisations are useless,,,,they always talk to the wrong people and they are scared of the Western Leaders…..blah blah blah blah,,,in the USA if you are black…you get shot just for being black,,,,,

      I think we need to take HH back to Mukobeko so Human Rights can have something to talk about and by the way Chishimba Kambwili was “LAWFULLY WOUNDED”

      Anyway
      2021 Vote PF (Edgar)

      i thank you

    • And when we tell you, we fellow Zambians, that Zambian democracy is shrinking every day, that the police are acting on orders from the statehouse, etc., you call us names such as that we are all UPND. Yet our criticism has nothing to do with UPND, but shouting out to you people who are blind and just following for the sake of it or are benefiting from current status quo. Shetty has been frank and has told ECL, its the reflection of how the outside is looking at Zambia. As usual, you waited for someone from outside to come and tell you that something was wrong, instead of you opening your own eyes. If ECL is campaigning in the hospital(fist up), then equally let HH be allowed to proceed with his Kanyama rally. Test for Kanganja boys

    • Finally LT have written the truth because PF lies has short legs and can not out run the truth on the ground. We are watching you PF minions.

      Faka pressure on thief Lungu. Lungu needs the Hague to try him for his sponsored violence and killing of UPND supporters.

    • Its in the interest not only of Human Rights but general good governance that some hot heads in govt be fired such as Kampyongo! These are the people that are destroying the good works of the Late Great MCS! Prison conditions dear Lord prison conditions! Who will ever fight the battle to improve prison conditions? Even this Amnesty person has not even mentioned prison conditions- these guys are just rubber stamps! Those of you who have the power to change prison conditions please do so- God is watching, his judgement will be true and harsh!

    • Lungu has turnished our image as a democratic country all through his excitement for power and the zeal to silence critics. its a shame ba lungu is like a lost sheep, busy moving from house to house like a street kid.
      ba lungu correct the wrongs you have done in Zambia then you will enjoy Zambia, these countries you running to are not your home. put your house in order mudala it is not too late.
      this unhealthy competitive behavior of trying to be the richest Zambian by all means is a futile race you are running. Your legacy will stand the test of time if you rule on behalf of the poor, look at Ghandi his well known for his leadership not money. so boss adjust your moral compass even the God you are going to fast and pray for on the 18th will hear your prayers.

  1. You are a joke! In some countries people die daily at the hands of leaders and you don’t go there! Is Zambia the same as Rwanda, Uganda, Congo DR, Togo, Burundi, Nigeria, etc! I am sure you were there before stoping by in Zambia! Who sent you? UPND is the worst party to ever be in Zambia! It is run by children.

    • We don’t want to go as far Rwanda, Uganda, Congo DR, Togo, Burundi, Nigeria, etc!
      That is not the Zambian personality!!!! And Zambia has a history of peace, so don’t compare Zambia to those kaboke.
      It’s better, we bring back what Zambia was before. It’s as simple as that !! And this has nothing to do with UPND, UPND just like any other party could be a victim.

      We don’t want Zedrwanda here. ECL didn’t say anything bad about Shetty , why should you

    • Why must Zambia be Zaire or Zimbabwe? If Lungu wants to be president in Rwanda, Burundi or Uganda, let him go to those countries and become their president. Zambia is Zambia, and Zambians deserve to be treated like Zambians.

  2. One would expect a lawyer to comprehend matters of human rights issues better but not Jonathan. He behaves like a cadre, very uninspiring. Pump some sense in him.

  3. Nonsense from Amnesty – just imagine what would become of this country if leadership became weak or “overly tolerant” on freedom of assembly and speech.

    • Tolerance means you should allow others with opposing views from you to assemble and express themselves publicly

      What do you fear kanshi??

    • Chils – Correct, but it is always when one “wants” to express their views that fights start. Expressing your views should not embrace inciting others or your supporters to disrespect others or authority.

    • @ abilima

      Did you get your education on Human Rights from North Korea “Great Leader” university, or from Eritrean university of good governance, or from Kinshasa university of Constitutional affairs, or from Zimbabwe university of democratic genocide, or from Christians for Lungu Theological university or you are simply just a sufferer of genetically induced 1mbecility?

  4. Sharon, just care about your own country why worry about others or referring to others. The message is for Lungu who is so drunk with power and has the potential to become a hitler, he has to be warned before he turns a peaceful Zambia into countries you referring to

  5. This is my prayer for national fasting and prayer day: May the God of Justice strike down those that steal puplic resources meant to help the poor. May the days of those who limit the freedoms of others be limited. May the downfall of the corrupt be swift. May gravel fill the mouths of those eating public resources. May my prayer be added to those that will be made on national prayer and fasting day.Amen.

  6. Once a thug always a thug. Once a thief always a thief. Once a criminal always a criminal. Thats Jonathan Pombe Chakolwa for u. He such a hypocrite,sadist and a Dictator of note. Long b4 the Amnesty International Secretary General leaves Zambia u will see Lungu’s true colours. Lungu is at sea when it comes to Respect of Rule of Law,Good Governance,Human Rights and Constitutionalism.The man is full of lawlessness and ICC is awaiting his arrival for committing crimes against humanity.

  7. @ Sharon, walasa. These guys will only go places like Zambian where they can be welcomed. Shetty niwakuti. Guys colonization inasila kudala. Trump is proper racists if you are following the recent happenings in the USA. Mr Shetty should go and talk to TRUMP.

    • Trump is insulted left right and centre you won’t see him arresting anybody. …in Zambia even that boy on social media who took a video in front of those overpriced Fire engines who questioned where he money was, is behind bars for defamation. Do you think in Eminem was in Zambia and rapped about Lazy Lungu do you think he would even make it to the Studio car park?

  8. Izak Khoza of SABC laid out one fundamental point, he said the violence is on both sides! AI seem to be badly informed and came here to find fault in GRZ. They don’t know the whole story, Namwala, the graveyard scuffle, recently Chilanga. The opposition rushes to tell them they are being oppressed but they provoke and keep “militia” for themselves. I WOULDN’T BE WORRIED ABOUT WHATEVER AI REPORT ON US!!!

  9. Simply look at him in the picture, he is forgetting its these selfsame colonial laws that he used to fight against when he was a mere Legal Adviser (Not Lawyer).

  10. This meeting really leaves one wondering whether both parties have the same definition of human rights.

    In some countries, as someone has pointed out, a child heading home might get shot by police if the skin color is black. Our president’s response is bonafide: you can’t be serious about calling yourself Amnesty international and say nothing about the rights of weak in strong countries but rush to protect the rights of the strong in weak countries.

    • Whether a child is shot or a person is preventing from expressing himself, they all fall under the umbrella of human rights. Unless you can come up with other definitions, Amnesty will still be giving you hell about the lack of tolerance towards others having divergent views

    • Nine Chile, we’ve a problem in Zambia. As long as your leader is not president, everything is negative. I almost fell into that trap when Mwanawasa became president, but after some time I realized that I was just wasting my time. People voted for Mwanawasa, so I thought I had to respect their choice.

  11. This indian Shetty or whatever you call him must go and lecture that nonsense to his fellow indians.Zambia is in very safe hands.the opposition party upnd is led by an evil man HH who has been on tribal crusade since 2006.what upnd does has no place in modern democracy(tribal politics).If ZP allows HH and his die hard tribalists to be having rallies day in,day out,many innocent souls shall die at the hands of upnd tribal cadres.SO ZP SHOULD NEVER LISTEN TO THIS “MWENYE – SHETTY”.why does Shetty want to cause trouble here in a peaceful country Zambia?IF ALLOWED HH CAN BE HAVING RALLIES 24/7 AND KEEP ON INSULTING PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU 24/7!!!is that democracy Shetty wants?THIS INDIAN CAN GO TO HELL!!hh must only be allowed to address his supporters in 3.5 provinces-period!!

  12. A lawyer should uphold everyone’s basic human rights. Not only his rights to be heard. Just what’s wrong with mother Zambia? Once a beacon of peace now we are being lectured on human rights because of failure of leadership to accomodate divergent views. United in diversity should be Zambia’s mantra.

    It’s not ku mawa Zambia
    It’s not Tonga Zambia
    It’s not Bemba Zambia
    It’s not Lamba Zambia
    It’s not Lala Zambia, etc etc

    It’s Zambia The Real Africa.
    It’s Zambia in the sun
    It’s Zambia Tiyende Pamodzi

    • It’s Zambia of disregard for the rule of law;
      It’s Zambia of endemic corruption;
      It’s Zambia of hunger;
      It’s Zambia of destitution;
      It’s Zambia of joblessness;
      It’s Zambia of convicted embezzler Endemically Corrupt Leader!!!

  13. You guys who support anything PF I feel sorry for you. ECL has been found wanting on human rights and freedom of assembly and free speech and you are busy comparing your country Zambia to the USA. Are you outta your minds now??? The fact is things are very bad in Zambia and we cannot allow one guy to control all of us cruelly and for that matter blindly. ECL needs to be impeached for various crimes committed and you know what crimes those are. Anyone who has a brain and eyes can see how far our country has gone to the dogs. The problem is that we got too many empty heads quaking and no action.

  14. Its good that he came. After a face to face meeting with Kateka and other people, I bet he has gone back much wiser than he was before came. Now he sees the real problem are child politicians, and has seen that Mmembe is not such an angel after all, in fact under an imaginary U5 regime he would be inside the belly of a crocodile somewhere on Kafue flats, I mean the river, or inside Mukobeko and forgotten.

  15. Mr Shetty is preaching to the deaf. Does Lungu even know what it means to uphold human rights? Lungu is a thief,a thug and a criminal who has no idea on how to govern a country. He is just like a village tyrant who is running Zambia like a personal tuckshop. Lungu is the worst and most corrupt President since Independence in 1964. With this visionless Dictator and Sadist Zambia is doomed.

  16. Lungu has turnished our image as a democratic country all through his excitement for power and the zeal to silence critics. its a shame ba lungu is like a lost sheep, busy moving from house to house like a street kid.
    ba lungu correct the wrongs you have done in Zambia then you will enjoy Zambia, these countries you running to are not your home. put your house in order mudala it is not too late.
    this unhealthy competitive behavior of trying to be the richest Zambian by all means is a futile race you are running. Your legacy will stand the test of time if you rule on behalf of the poor, look at Ghandi his well known for his leadership not money. so boss adjust your moral compass even the God you are going to fast and pray for on the 18th will hear your prayers.

  17. Mr Shetty said ‘since President Edgar Lungu was re-elected in August 2016, the space for any kind of political dissent or freedom of expression shrank dramatically’. He has definitely done it so that he can silence people shining the light on his corruption ,abuse of power and enriching himself with tax payers cash .By so doing people’s attention has been diverted from real issues for instance he acquiring vast amounts of money way beyond his income to owning multi million property

  18. LT please resit your Grade 9 English paper. “Urging” and “telling don’t mean the same thing. Who do you think Amnesty International and its SG Shetty are to “tell” any President in the world’s ? I was not aware that our Constitution has changed to place Amnesty at its apex instead of we the people which includes you, U5 and every other citizen of Zambia.

  19. There is an animal in the Bible that spoke! Its rider was going to curse the blessed and chosen of the Lord! Balaam was riding that animal! Do you know it? Sometimes, by the miracle of God an animal can talk! That animal was a donkey!

  20. Is this man talking about Zambia or Rwanda , Uganda, Congo DR? When did he ever visit those countries! Zambia must be serious! Please don’t welcome everyone!!

  21. The visit by AI boss is timely and pre – emptive. The country has been driven to the cusp of conflagration by the mindless leadership of a drunken man in State House. This man is not a statesman and is so myopic about basic appreciation of leadership. The earlier he left office the better for this great nation.

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