Rights Commission warns access to justice remains a challenge, as Western Province returns only one Judge

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) says it is concerned that access to justice especially for those held in custody remains a challenge.

Commission Acting Chairperson, Pamela Sambo, said the time it takes for a case to be heard before Court needs to be addressed urgently in order to guarantee justice for all.

Sambo said this during the launch of the 2021-22 state of human rights report in Lusaka on Thursday.

She cited Western Province, where there is only one judge available to hear all cases relating to serious crimes, appeals coming from the Subordinate Courts as well as cases relating to children in conflict with the law.

“Many citizens are complaining about continued ill-treatment, assaults including allegations of torture at the hands of Law Enforcement Officers before and during interrogations and arrests,” Sambo said.

Sambo further noted with concern that many people have been arrested, sometimes for very petty offences, but continue to be denied police bond or bail, for unjustifiable reasons, even when they are of known and fixed abode.

She also noted that many citizens are complaining about continued ill-treatment, assaults including allegations of torture at the hands of Law Enforcement Officers before and during interrogations and arrests.

“A number of cases of alleged torture, including some which have resulted in deaths of persons in custody, have also been recorded. This needs to be addressed with extreme urgency,” Sambo said.

She since called on government to ensure that an ear is given to the cries of the people in promoting the enjoyment of human rights.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.