THE Human Rights Commission says President Edgar Lungu’s admissive remarks that political violence is perpetrated mainly by governing PF and UPND supporters is commendable.
On Saturday, President Lungu said the ruling PF and the UPND were the major culprits of election violence.
Speaking at Lusaka’ City Airport shortly before departure for Mongu where he is inspecting ‘developmental projects,’ President Lungu advised the PF and the UPND to draw lessons from the just-ended Chilanga parliamentary by-election where even journalists from the private media were caught up in violence.
In a press statement yesterday, Human Rights Commission (HRC) spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya observed that the President’s remarks could help in finding a long-lasting solution to Zambia’s political violence scenario.
“The Human Rights Commission wishes to commend President Edgar Lungu for publicly stating that the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development cadres are the major perpetrators of violence. That must be commendable because the admission of a problem is the beginning of finding a lasting solution, more so a peaceful resolution of conflict,” Muleya stated.
He added that the HRC, going forward, expected President Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to instruct their respective party supporters to immediately stop the use of threatening violence, abusive language and any language that incites violence or hatred in society because “that is against the public order Act.”
Muleya also stated that the public order Act must strictly be respected and that political party cadres ought to be instructed against arming themselves with offensive weapons.
“They should conduct themselves in [an] orderly and lawful manner so that we can respect the rights, freedoms and reputation of other political players in the field. In short, we are saying that the provisions of the public order Act are adequate and must be protected to ensure that this political violence is eliminated from political competition,” stated Muleya.
“Political competition is a democratic norm and it should not result in injuries, loss of property or life and the responsibility lies squarely on political leaders to cage their supporters so that this country can, once again, recover from the political hostilities that are undermining the rights and freedoms of many Zambians who are looking forward to exercise their democratic right in the country.”
It’s easy for the Victor to face the truth, not so easy for the several times vanquished.
Lungu is not a strong leader. If your leader tells you to stop something, you stop.
I think Lungu is not telling the whole truth here. The more divided people are, the better the chances of looting national assets and treasury purse, unnoticed.
The cadres are killing each other for nothing. The politics of barbarism should be shunned.
Hazluza Hagain and his tribal gathering are perpetrators of political violence in Zambia. Animo rights group may be missing it.
This hate speech we post must end
All those insults hh and ecl using social media must stop
Its really bad
lungu thief
The Human Rights should also understand that it is hypocrisy for Lungu to even mention PF because on many occasions when PF cadres have caused atrocities, Sunday Chanda, Davies Mwila including ka Amos Chanda would always defend thugs that they are a peaceful party. At no point did Lungu come out strongly and stop violence. He does no condemn violence perpetrated by his party but rushes to condemn opposition.
He knows about Commando at intercity yet he keeps quite. He knows what Lusambo the bootlicker does he cannot condemn him. He is a weak president with no clue at all.
You guys need to do an inquiry in this violence seriously. This build up needs to be curbed and you can only do that with a commission of inquiry. You forget that at the centre of this election is the peace we have enjoyed. You must not betray the trust we have bestowed in partisan politics. There was no need to fight over Chilanga really. There is need to respect parties and differ on principle but get along on personal level. Can you master that two faced art please? Zambia is very civilised and content. This idea of vote buying to win please. If you need to give Zambians back can you do it to lay foundation for them to establish their everyday life. Not give them piecemeal in the month leading to elections and even in the week commencing elections please. Do not humiliate our youth…
Admitting is not enough. ECL must rise above partisan politics and instruct and protect the Police who arrest belligerent PF cadres. While UPND cadres are arrested, PF cadres aint.