Govt respects international rules - Lungu

ZAMBIA is operating within international rules and will not treat citizens or foreigners unfairly. President Lungu™s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda rubbished claims that Mr Biti was deported. Mr Chanda was reacting to insinuations that Government had deported Zimbabwean politician Tendai Biti when it handed him back to authorities in his country after denying him asylum. He explained that Mr Biti was subjected to normal immigration procedures at Chirundu border post before indicating that he actually wanted asylum. He said that following his request, Mr Biti was held at the border as authorities now pursued procedures required before someone was granted asylum. Mr Chanda said that government had only denied Mr Biti asylum because he did not qualify for such status and handed him back to his country before he could formally enter Zambia. He reiterated that such refusal was not tantamount to deportation as Mr Biti did not complete his immigration procedures to be considered an immigrant. Mr Chanda said that Zambia was operating within international rules and would not treat citizens or foreigners unfairly. fiThere was no deportation, Mr Biti was subjected to immigration procedures then he told the officers that what he wanted was asylum. They had to keep him there as they inquired on the next course of action. When it was denied, we just handed him back to Zimbabwean authorities and that is not deportation,fl he said. And Mr Chanda said that the Zambian government wished a fair trial upon Mr Biti and peace in Zimbabwe. He expressed happiness that Mr Biti had appeared in court and had been granted bail.