RIGHTS PROBE ON CUE
IT should come as a sigh of relief to Zambians that the moribund Human Rights Commission (HRC) has come out of its cocoon to admit that there is something amiss in the governance of the country.
Zambians have for long complained about the abuse of human rights in the country particularly under the new dawn administration which promised to uphold the rule of law when in government.
Almost three years after being in the driving seat, the government of President Hakainde Hichilema has failed the people as there have been numerous complaints about human rights failures during their tenure.
The nation has observed for example how the fight against
corruption has been selective, directed at only those who served under the Patriotic Front regime of President Edgar Lungu, while turning a blind eye to the widespread corruption in the current administration.
The Zambia Police Service has lost credibility as it has been turned into an enforcement wing of the ruling United Party for National Development.
There have been arbitrary arrests carried out in which suspects have been held in police cells for days on end without being charged or taken to court. Police bond is unheard of.
Although President Hichilema has at countless times directed the police to only make an arrest after thorough investigations and ensure that suspects are taken to court without delay, and bond given, the law enforcement wing have been in a world of their own.
Thus, the mere fact that the HRC has disclosed that it is investigating the Zambia Police Service for several cases of extra-judicial killings, alleged torture, cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment and punishment of suspects, as well as other violations of human rights is proof that all is not well.
The Zambia Police under Mr Graphael Musamba, as Inspector General of Police has continued to be under intense criticism and scrutiny because of not only its unprofessional conduct but its open partisan conduct in discharging its mandate.
Dr Pamela Sambo, the chairperson for the Human Rights Commission said the police under the watch of Mr Musamba should immediately stop human rights violations against citizens and should ensure there was professionalism in their conduct.
In a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Sambo said the HRC was strongly condemning the Zambia Police Service for its continued violations of fundamental human rights against citizens.
Examples are plenty of how suspects, particularly those aligned to the PF aregiven fispecialfl treatment when arrested
– held indefinitely and denied not only access to their lawyers but bond as well.
A case in point is that involving Rizwani Patel, a PF official in
Petauke and two others who have remained incarcerated after they were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery almost two months ago in a matter the complainants claim was an assault.
fiThe continued reports of violations of human rights by the police, which include violations of the right to life through extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions and torture of suspects are extremely worrying and must immediately be stopped,fl Dr Sambo said.
These concerns have been raised by credible organisations like Our Civic Duty (OCiDA) and the reborn Oasis Forum. They have been frank in their condemnation of the police failure to promote the rule of law.
The silence of the HRC amidst all these shortcomings has rightly raised concern in the nation that it has been compromised as other institutions.
It is our hope that the HRC would investigate thoroughly the transgressions being committed by government institutions in line with its mandate of
promoting and protecting human rights for all people in Zambia through various activities, such as investigations, rehabilitation, education, and advocacy.
It needs to stand up and be the leader in the fight against human rights abuses for it to win the confidence of Zambians. It should not be captured as other institutions have been.