UPND MEDIA DIRECTORATE
PRESS STATEMENT
UPND CHALLENGES CSOs OVER SELECTIVE HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY ON JJ BANDA’S APPREHENSION
The United Party for National Development (UPND) is concerned by the selective approach to human rights advocacy demonstrated by some civil society organisations (CSOs) in their commentary on the apprehension of fugitive Emmanuel “JJ” Banda.
As UPND Media Director, I wish to remind these organisations that the protection of human rights and the rule of law must be universal, consistent and impartial.
Human rights advocacy should not be selective, nor should it be reduced to defending individuals who find themselves on the wrong side of the law while remaining conspicuously silent when the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens are threatened.
Where were these organisations when citizens were being threatened, defamed and subjected to inflammatory rhetoric, including calls for the killing of the President and messages promoting ethnic hegemony?
Every human being has an inherent right to life. The President, like every other citizen, is entitled to that fundamental right.
We would have expected responsible civil society organisations to speak firmly and unequivocally against any rhetoric advocating violence or threatening the life of the Head of State. Equally, we expected them to condemn attempts to weaponise ethnicity, intimidate citizens and undermine the constitutional right of individuals to associate freely with others.
On the apprehension of JJ Banda, we urge the public and civil society organisations to distinguish between legitimate scrutiny of law-enforcement conduct and premature conclusions about the legality of an operation.
We have noted the commentary associated with Linda Kasonde and others concerning the circumstances surrounding JJ Banda’s apprehension.
The UPND is a political organisation that upholds freedom of association and the right of citizens to participate in public affairs without fear or intimidation.
No Zambian should be threatened or ridiculed because of their ethnic background, political choices or lawful associations.
We also do recognize that Linda Kasonde and ourselves are not a court to find the suspects guilty or innocent before the law as such, we must allow for the due process of the law in the light of presumption of innocence.
Issued by:
Mark Simuuwe
Media Director
United Party for National Development (UPND)