HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO ENSURE RIGHTS OF YOUTHS ALLEGED TO HAVE DEFAMED PRESIDENT HICHILEMA ARE PROTECTED

By Leah Ngoma

The Human Rights Commission is closely monitoring the case involving the youths alleged to have defamed President Hakainde Hichilema with a view of ensuring that their rights to liberty and to secure protection of the law as enshrined under articles 13 and 18 of the constitution are upheld and protected
The commission strongly condemns the ill treatment of the youths who were subjected to beatings while being interrogated by Zambia Army Officers over derogatory remarks they issued via an online platform in Chiengi District of Luapula Province on 15th June 2022.

Commission Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga says the commission is shocked and gravely concerned at the apparent lack of remorse

by the Zambian army as evidenced by the justification of the cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of the youths through a media report attributed to the Director General for Civil Military Affairs, Brigadier General Genoh Muke.

Mr Mwandenga has indicated that the commission does not support any form of hate speech such as insulting language, expression of hatred, discrimination and any form of expression that violates the rights and reputation of any individual because that is outside the ambit of freedom of expression and opinion but respect for the rule of law, human rights and constitutionalism demands that suspects should be subjected to the due process of the law.

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