Human Rights Watch released a report detailing systematic abuses by Zambian authorities, including arbitrary detentions, beatings, threats, and enforced disappearances around the general election. Tensions flared further after main opposition rival Brian Mundubile was arrested on treason charges following a deadly raid on his home. Officials also shuttered the nation's courts for two weeks as a preventive measure, effectively stopping the opposition from petitioning the outcome. The organization is now demanding an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of a former cabinet member by security forces.
Key points
The shutdown of the judiciary directly prevented political opponents from mounting legal…: The shutdown of the judiciary directly prevented political opponents from mounting legal challenges against the election results.
Human Rights Watch is urging the government to immediately release arbitrarily detained c…: Human Rights Watch is urging the government to immediately release arbitrarily detained critics and provide them with medical care.
Rights monitors are demanding an impartial and independent investigation into the lethal…: Rights monitors are demanding an impartial and independent investigation into the lethal violence deployed by state security forces.
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Opposition figures arrested and disappeared since President Hakainde Hichilema claimed August victory.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Zambia’s authorities to halt the vicious clampdown on the political opposition that was launched following President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in disputed elections in August.
The rights group demanded in a report released on Sunday that the authorities put a stop to the intensifying crackdown.
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It accused Zambia’s government of silencing government critics, with several members of the opposition, as well as journalists and lawyers, arrested and some having disappeared in recent months.
“The post-election climate of intimidation, harassment, and repression has had a chilling effect on civic and political organizations, particularly on dissenting voices,” HRW said.
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