We also demand that Government grants him political asylum because circumstances surrounding his persecution in Zimbabwe are discriminatory and mere witch-hunt.
Additionally, we believe that such action by Government is an embarrassment in the eyes of the international community and only goes to prove incoherence of the Zambian Government on foreign policy. We are aware that Government has in the past protected and even granted asylum to aliens suspected to have committed serious crimes in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere in the world.
To start with, Government has not categorically stated whether the MDC Alliance leader Tendai Biti entered Zambia legally or illegally. To us, this is a very serious omission because Government has no right to arrest and detain people arbitrarily, whether such people aliens or not.
If Biti entered Zambia illegally, then that is one thing. Government security agencies have a duty to arrest, detain and deport illegal immigrants as no alien has a right to enter the country unless such a person does so under special circumstances as outlined in various international laws to which Zambia is a signatory.
But if Biti entered Zambia legally, then that is another ball game altogether. The Zambian Government is bound to respect international law.
As the Green Party, we have followed closely events in Zimbabwe before, during and after the election held last week.
We are aware that President-Elect Emerson Mnangagwa, MDC Alliance Presidential Candidate Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti made public statements last week during the counting and verification process of ballots, which statements were reported in various media outlets. We followed closely commentaries on the statements, which we have kept for record, and we are convinced beyond reasoble doubt that the three statements bordered on breach of the electoral laws of Zimbabwe.
We are also aware that up to date, neither Mnangagwa nor Chamisa are being pursued by Government security agencies for the said public statements. Under the circumstances, it is our considered view that pursuing Biti leaving Mnangagwa and Chamisa is application of double standards. In our view, this is not only a witch-hunt but also biased application of law.
In this regard, it is our considered view as the Green Party that the Zambian Government should not be part and parcel of such witch-hunt and biased application of law.
We think that Biti has a meritorious case to run away from Zimbabwe as he is being pursued in a discriminatory and unfair manner.
We think that the Zambian Government is under international law to protect him and grant him political asylum.
And finally, we think that he is not a danger to the Zambian society. We think that by any standard, Biti is far much better as asylum seeker than some of the criminals that Government of the Republic of Zambia has protected under the auspices of international law.
Peter Sinkamba
President
Green Party
THIS IS TRUE MR PRESIDENT, WE ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOU BUT OF LATE ITS LIKE PF IS SWEET TALKING U OR WHAT , PLEASE CONTINUE BEING FOCUSED 2021 MIGHT BE YOURS AFTER ALL YOU ARE SMARTER THAN MANY PRESIDENTS THAT WE KNOW
“Sinkamba says Zambia should grants political asylum Tendai Biti…”standards of reporting in Zambia. Which institution did this report graduate from?
Its too late the empty tin have already passed their decision
You are a true Zambian with a heart that is of a Christian
On behalf of suffering zimbabweans ,we were honestly shocked and very dissapointed by our big brother Zambian government. Voting is a process were by the peolples voice is expressed. If that voice is suppresed while our neighbours are watching,its even more freightening coz there is no were to run to or any one to trust.If only you knew how we are feeling as a nation.Am not a politician but just feel i have to let you no our honest truth incase you are not aware.We had faith in you and felt relieved when the news on media was saying that Biti is now safe in your hands.Million in zimbabwe were following the developments as they unfold.Its a few elite, we felt you pleased at the expense of the voice of millions of zimbabweans scarterd home and away.Your own courts freed him but Mr Lungu…
blessing.
stop making noise. that guy on 20th April,2017 said Zambia was a failed nation. why did he chose to come here? he should have gone to RSA, Botswana or any other country in the world. that guy is a threat to our country in that he supported hh the time he did his “fast and the furious” thing on the presidential motorcade.
our president spared hh’s by ignoring this childish behavior and only sent him prison to teach him manners but this BITI guy supported him and hailed alot of unpresant words for our gvt and ECL. let him be.