Amnesty International Report 2016/17 - Zambia
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 22 February 2017 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report 2016/17 - Zambia, 22 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58b033974.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Republic of Zambia
Head of state and government: Edgar Chagwa Lungu
A contested presidential election was marked by increased political violence. The authorities used the Public Order Act to repress the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association; the police used excessive force to disperse meetings of opposition parties. The authorities cracked down on independent media outlets and harassed journalists. In April, there was a wave of xenophobic violence against foreign nationals.
BACKGROUND
Edgar Chagwa Lungu was returned as President in an election on 11 August which saw increased tension and violence, primarily between members of the ruling Patriotic Front and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND). The election was held under a new Constitution promulgated on 5 January following a controversial process.
The UPND questioned the independence of the judiciary after a UPND petition was dismissed without being heard by three Constitutional Court judges who took the decision without involving two other Constitutional Court judges.
A constitutional referendum held on 11 August at the same time as the general election failed to gain the votes required to amend the country's bill of rights.
In April, there was a wave of xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in Zingalume and George Compounds following allegations of ritual killings. Shops belonging to Rwandan and Zimbabwean nationals were looted. Two Zambian nationals were burned to death in the xenophobic attacks. The alleged perpetrators were arrested and convicted of murder.
The Global Hunger Index of 2016 ranked Zambia as the third hungriest country in the world, with nearly half of the population undernourished.
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
The authorities used the Public Order Act, enacted in 1955, selectively; they arbitrarily restricted the right to freedom of assembly for opposition political parties. Police used excessive force to disperse crowds. On 8 July, police used live ammunition to disperse protesters in Chawama Township in the capital Lusaka, killing Mapenzi Chibulo, a young woman UPND supporter.
On 5 October, UPND leaders Hakainde Hichilema and Geoffrey Mwamba were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly and seditious practices following a brief meeting with party supporters at a village in Mpongwe District.[1] They were released on bail pending trial in October.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
On 21 March, Eric Chanda, leader of the Fourth Revolution political party, was arrested and charged with defaming the President in 2015.
On 20 June, the printing presses of The Post newspaper were seized by the tax authorities and its operations shut down. On 27 June, police beat and arrested editor-in-chief Fred M'membe and his wife Mutinta Mazoka-M'membe, and deputy managing-editor Joseph Mwenda. The charges against them included breaking into The Post building.
On 22 August, the Zambian Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended the licences of three independent broadcasters – Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Radio Itezhi. Four Muvi TV media workers – John Nyendwa, Mubanga Katyeka, Joe Musakanya and William Mwenge – who had reported for work were arrested and charged with criminal trespass. The licences were subsequently reinstated.
Despite the reinstatement of Komboni Radio's licence, on 5 October the station's director, Lesa Kasoma Nyirenda, was beaten by six armed policemen who prevented her from accessing the premises. She was also charged with assaulting a police officer.
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
In March the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued its concluding observations on Zambia. The Committee expressed concern that vulnerable children were being denied equal access to a range of services including health and education. Under-five and infant mortality rates remained high while adolescents lacked access to adequate reproductive health services and information. The Committee also highlighted the imposition of primary school fees and the high dropout rates for girls due to discriminatory traditional attitudes and the exclusion of pregnant girls.
1. Zambia: Drop sedition charges against opposition leaders (Press release, 19 October)
