AFRICA/ZAMBIA – Civil society and the Church: “The rule of law and constitutional guarantees at risk”

Lusaka – “A deliberate and growing disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and the human rights of Zambian citizens.” This is how a group of civil society organizations describes the conduct of the Zambian government following the August 13 elections, won by incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema .
In their statement, sent to Fides, the civil society organizations, including Caritas Zambia, said they had issued the statement “a day before the world marks the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, a day set aside by the United Nations to reflect on the state of democracy across the globe.”
“It is a bitter irony that Zambia approaches this day not celebrating the strength of its democratic institutions but confronting an unprecedented assault on them,” the statement says. “We call on all Zambians, and on the international community, to mark this year’s International Day of Democracy by reflecting soberly on the events set out below, and on what they mean for the future of our constitutional order.”
First, the arbitrary cancellation of passports without due process. Six citizens’ passports were cancelled by government gazette notice, with no hearing and no opportunity to challenge the decision. Those affected include former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba, academic Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, and two former Members of Parliament.
Second, they cite “treason and sedition charges against opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu, who have been detained since late August without being brought before a court” . Some of those detained are alleged to have been subjected to torture, the civil society organizations denounce.
Third, “a growing trend of abductions, illustrated by the arrest of sitting Member of Parliament Honourable Faith Munthali.”
“We do not view these as isolated incidents. Taken together, they amount to a constitutional crisis, breaching guarantees on freedom of movement, personal liberty, and the right to a fair hearing,” the signatories of the statement said.
Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of Chipata, in a pastoral letter, expressed “the deep concern, anxiety and uncertainty about the direction in which our nation is moving” experienced by “many citizens” as a result of recent events.
The Bishop of Chipata recalled that “the Church does not exist to take sides between political parties. Neither should she become an instrument of opposition politics. But neither can the Church remain silent when the dignity of the human person, the common good, justice, peace and the rule of law are seriously threatened.”
Bishop Lungu continued: “The Church cannot preach reconciliation while refusing to address the wounds that make reconciliation necessary. We cannot preach justice if we are afraid to speak about injustice. We cannot preach peace if we remain silent when the conditions necessary for peace are being weakened. And we cannot speak convincingly about human dignity if we do not defend the dignity and rights of every person, regardless of political affiliation.”
“In this spirit, I believe that a respectful conversation with the President and appropriate representatives of Government could be a constructive step,” he concluded.

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