The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development says Zambia is sliding into a dictatorship as citizens are being denied the right of assembly.
FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said President Michael Sata should openly state whether he had declared a state of emergency for the police force to always cite security reasons for denying Zambians the right to assemble.
Mwanza said the PF was in power as result of a democratic process but had suspended liberties for its citizens.
“The implication of denying people that right to assembly shows that the country is slipping into a dictatorship. The police seem to have the right to choose which rights the citizens should enjoy,” he said.
“The government should come out in the open and state whether they have declared a state of emergency. For them to cite security reasons it means they know the people who are going to cause chaos. Why not just arrest them.”
He added: “The matter of the Public Order Act was put to rest by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling but subsequent governments continue to abuse it against its citizens.
The PF was able to win power because they were allowed to sell their manifesto through holding rallies.”
Under President Michael Sata the police have become notorious for denying citizens the right of assembly.
The police have been claiming that they do not have the manpower but have always turned up enmasse to disrupt gatherings that are peacefully convened.
The post Zambia Sliding into Dictatorship – FDD appeared first on Zambia Reports.