Zambia: Please provide information re kinds of activities government considers "political" and upon which it frowns, especially in relation to foreign relations, etc. (example: Criticism of certain foreign policies, or relations with other countries, not tolerated by government, etc.) Time period: present and recent past

The following information pertains to present and recent activities the Zambian government considers "political" and governmental attitudes towards these activities.

Although the Constitution protects freedom of expression, including freedom of conscience, belief, assembly and association, its provisions are subject to article 4, which provides for a single party state (Manfred Nowak and Theresa Swinehard, eds., Human Rights in Developing Countries, p. 407). The United National Independence Party (UNIP) is the only legal political party, and Zambians are prohibited from belonging to, supporting or expressing opinions in favour of other parties (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989, p. 430; Nowak and Swinehard, eds., p. 402).

The Zambian press exercises self-censorship as is it dominated by the one party in power (L'information dans le monde, p. 626; Information, Freedom and Censorship, p. 59). Zambian newspapers however print critical and supportive views of government programmes without fear of being detained ("Publish and Survive", New African, 1 July 1988, p. 31). Members of parliament have criticized the UPIN in its management of the economy and foreign policy (Africa Confidential, 13 May 1988, Vol. 29 No. 10, p. 7), but lack direct influence over these policies (Human Rights in Developing Countries, 1987-88, p. 113); as of June 1990 allegations of corruption in high places are widely believed and it is commonplace to hear people repeating assertions about the size of the presidential bank account (Africa Confidential, 1 June 1990, pp. 3-4).

Defamation in publications and with regard to the President whether orally, in print or any other form, results in three years' imprisonment (Information, Freedom and Censorship, p. 57). Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to prohibit publications which are "contrary to the public interest" (HRREC, p. 407; Information, Freedom and Censorship, p. 58). Prohibition can apply to any publication or newspaper, foreign or local, and may be retrospective; as well, the government claims that it has become difficult to obtain foreign newspapers or magazines not because of a general prohibition on these items, but due to economic constraints (Information, Freedom and Censorship, p. 58).

In June 1987, visas were refused to foreign jounalists wishing to report on the country's economic crisis, and in December 1986, a reporter with the South African Associated Press was arrested while covering a hunger riot in the province of Copperbelt (L'information dans le monde, p. 626). In addition, the government may prevent foreign travel by persons whose activities are considered inimical to Zambian interest (HRREC, p. 410; Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989, p. 430).

According to Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989, approximately six people detained under presidential order were released in 1989, among whom were three alleged members of an opposition political party, the People's Redemption Organization (PRO), which is illegal under Zambia's Consitution (U.S. Department of State, p. 428). A report issued by Amnesty International in June 1989 claims that in the 1980s, political detentions have involved people suspected of opposition to the government of President Kaunda as well as prisoners of conscience and others alleged to be sympathetic to the United Progressive Party (UPP) or to a clandestine opposition movement such as the PRO (Amnesty International, AI Index: Afr 63/03/89, p. 2). In 1988 six military officers and three civilians were arrested for "subversive activities," and there were reports that two of the detainees were prominent businessmen (Index on Censorship, 1/89, p. 40). Due to good relations between Zambia and Angola, Angolan nationals have been detained in Zambia reportedly for their alleged support for opposition to the Angolan Government, rather than on account of any offences committed in Zambia (Amnesty International, AI Index AFR 63/04/87, p. 2). Furthermore, former leader of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and potential candidate for the presidency, Frederic Chiluba, was expelled from union leadership due to reputed abuse of office and financial malpractice, though it is reportedly understood that this may have occurred for political reasons (Africa Confidential, Vol. 292, 22 Jan. 1989, p 4). Chiluba is a strong critic of the government and was detained in 1981 following a wave of strikes in the country (Africa Confidential, Vol. 292, 22 Jan. 1989, p 4). Today, Chiluba has lost his base in his own union (Africa Confidential, 1 June 1990, p. 3). As well, Friedrich Brunke, the leader of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, funded by the West German Social Democratic Party, was accused of funding the ZCTU (Africa Confidential, 22 Jan. 1988, Vol. 29, No. 2, p. 4). Brunke was immediately ordered out of the country and President Kaunda linked the ZCTU to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (Africa Confidential, 22 Jan. 1988, Vol. 29, No. 2, pps. 4-5).

Attachments:

Legum, Colin, ed. "Foreign Affairs" in Africa Contemporary Record. (New York: Africana Publishing Company, 1988), pps. B881-B885.

"Zambia: The Referendum Stakes", 1 June 1990, Vol. 31, No. 11, pps. 2-4; "Zambia: Backbench Revolt", 13 May 1988, Vol. 29,

No. 10, pps. 6-7; "Zambia: UNIP and the Unions", 22 January 1988, Vol. 29, No. 2, pps. 4-5; Africa Confidential (London).

"Publish and Survive", New African, (London), July 1988, pps. 31-32.

The Article 19 World Report 1988, Information, Freedom and Censorship. (United Kingdom: Longman Group UK Limited, 1988), pps. 56-59.

"Zambia", Index on Censorship, (London), 1/89, p. 40.

Amnesty International, "The Detention of Angolan Nationals in Zambia", AI Index: AFR 63/04/87, November 1987, pps. 1-2.; "Zambia: Continuing Cases of Administrative Detention and Torture", AI Index: AFR 63/03/89 , June 1989, pps. 1-6, (United Kingdom).

Andreassen, Bärd-Anders and Eide, Asbjorn, eds. Human Rights in Developing Countries 1987/88. (Copenhagen: Akademisk Forlag, 1988), pps. 112-113.

         Human Rights in Developing Countries 1989. (W. Germany: N.P. Engel, Publisher, 1989), pps. 402-411, 416-419.

         L'information dans le monde. (Paris: éditions du Seuil, 1989), pps. 626-627.