Press Release

UN Zambia Calls for Respect of Human Rights

15 April 2021

  • Lusaka, 15 April 2021: The United Nations in Zambia is concerned about the emergence of a video in which suspected political party supporters are allegedly seen harassing and threatening a female civil servant based on suspicion of political affiliation.  

Such acts are unacceptable and are against Zambia’s Constitution through which the people of Zambia have committed “to upholding the principles of democracy and good governance”. 

“We reaffirm the need to observe the rule of law and fully respect the human rights of all Zambians, regardless of their political persuasion or affiliation,” said UN Zambia Resident Coordinator Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio.

The United Nations in Zambia calls on politicians, party members and their supporters across the political spectrum to unite and stand for peace, and for the State to protect the political rights of all citizens. Such action, led by the State, is necessary and consistent with Zambia’s international human rights obligations including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reminds us that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The United Nations in Zambia welcomes the Government’s condemnation of this incident and the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.  All acts of violence must be subject to prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations, and the individuals found responsible must be brought to justice.

 

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For more information, please contact: 

Mark Maseko, National Information Officer, UN Information Centre, Lusaka,

P: +260-211-386200

M: + 260-955767062

E: masekom@un.org

 

UN entities involved in this initiative

DPPA
United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
OHCHR
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
RCO
United Nations Resident Coordinator Office

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