Govt labels UN experts report on rights abuses as ‘perplexing, erroneous,’ says Zambia acting responsibly

The Zambian government has denied claims made by United Nations Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), alleging that it was infringing on fundamental freedoms in Zambia.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, challenged the UNHRC report, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.

He specifically dismissed assertions that members of the clergy were being arrested under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration, calling the claims false and perplexing.

Zambia Monitor had reported on its Friday edition that United Nations experts, under its Human Rights Council, had called on the Zambian government to immediately address escalating infringements on fundamental freedoms, citing numerous allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions.

Govt, responding through Mweetwa, said: “The Government of Zambia under UPND has no record of any such arrests, and we are perplexed as to the source of this erroneous information.”

He emphasized that Zambia continues to uphold freedom of religion and expression and described any claims to the contrary as baseless.

Mweetwa further disputed the report’s allegation that state actors had used legal provisions to suppress freedom of expression.

He stressed that the UPND administration was committed to safeguarding peace and security while ensuring that law enforcement actions respected human rights and adhered to the rule of law.

Addressing claims that there was limited democratic space for the opposition, Mweetwa highlighted government’s ongoing consultative process to review and potentially repeal the Public Order Act, underscoring its commitment to enhancing democratic governance in Zambia.

Mweetwa also refuted claims of attacks on journalists, asserting that under the current administration, journalists were free to criticize the government without fear of retribution.

He expressed disappointment that the UNHRC had not acknowledged the progress made by the government, including the repeal of draconian laws such as the defamation of the president law, the abolition of the death penalty, and the enactment of the Access to Information Law.

Meanwhile, the Law Association of Zambia president, Lungisani Zulu, urged the government to address the issues raised by the UNHRC, emphasizing the need for all citizens, including those with differing political views, to enjoy constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.

Zulu noted that the association was aware of three youths—Jason Mwanza, Chanda Chikwanka, and Ezekiel Thomas Zulu—who were in police custody for merely exercising their right to protest.

He agreed with the UNHRC’s recommendations for the government to de-escalate tensions by upholding these rights, creating a safe environment for civic engagement, and expediting legislative reforms, including those concerning the Public Order Act, the Penal Code, and the State Security Act.

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