Human Rights Commission condemn UPND attacks on staff

THE Human Rights Commission has condemned the harassment of its member of staff and a member of the public wearing a PF t-shirt by UPND supporters during the nomination of their candidate in Katuba.

HRC spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya yesterday said the ruckus caused by the UPND supporters during the nomination of their candidate for the Katuba constituency parliamentary by-election on Thursday where they harassed HRC Materials Productions Officer (MPO), Oscar Chisenga, was barbaric

“The commission calls upon UPND leaders to identify and hand over to police the perpetrators to demonstrate that their call for non-violence was not mere rhetoric. Condemning violence without bringing perpetrators to account for their action is meaningless and implies supporting the crime.

“The commission is saddened that the party cadres harassed and beat up Mr. Chisenga before snatching a wallet containing his personal effects and a Commission Mobile Tablet, which he was using to video record them as they attacked an individual who was wearing PF regalia,” Mr. Muleya said

He said Mr. Chisenga was only doing his constitutional duty of monitoring the promotion and protection of human rights and nothing justified his harassment and beating.

He said also said the beating up of an individual wearing PF regalia was an act of high level of intolerance and lack of civility and undemocratic conduct that must be roundly condemned.