Human Rights activist Brebner Changala says the Patriotic Front government should exercise restraint in their treatment of former Republican President Rupiah Banda.
Changala said denying Banda the right to travel abroad for international engagements was a violation of his fundamental human rights.
“This thing of denying RB the right to movement hinges on his human rights. Why should they deny him the right to travel when the courts have allowed that to happen?” Changala asked.
“I totally condemn and demand that RB be given back his total rights.”
President Michael Sata’s government has been reluctant to allow Banda to travel for international engagements and have often blocked at the airport despite the courts ordering that he is eligible to travel.
Banda was stopped from attending the inauguration ceremony of Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta and was also not allowed to attend the just ended African Union summit in Addis Ababa events for which an invitation was extended to him.
He has now been invited for a presentation at a South Africa conference organised by the Boston University next month.
But according to the Zambia Daily Mail, a state owned but PF controlled broadsheet, acting President Edgar Lungu says has requested for a ‘flight risk assessment’ of former Banda before his request to travel to Johannesburg can be considered.
Lungu, who has on several occasion been accused of working under the influence of alcohol, has also described as unfortunate the decision of Banda’s office to complain through the media about the halting of the Addis Ababa trip yet his application had yet to be tabled before the office of Home Affairs.
“We need to assess Mr Banda for possible flight risk before he can even think of travelling,” Mr Lungu said.
“Up to now, he has not applied to travel with our office, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is central in this case, has not been informed of his plans yet.”
The acting President said there is evidence that Mr Banda might not return once he is left to his own devices and there could be a possibility of interfering with witnesses while abroad.
Lungu categorically gave an example of Mr Banda’s son, Henry, who remains in South Africa despite being sought for various criminal allegations in Zambia.
“We all know that Mr Banda’s son, Henry, who faces various criminal charges in Zambia, is still on the run and has vowed not to come and face trial, so we can’t take any chances with Mr Banda right now,” Lungu said.
Lungu, however, said: “Without prejudice, however, I would advise Mr Banda’s office to follow the right procedure and make a good case for travelling without seeking sympathy first.
The case will be assessed by criminal experts who will make the right decision to allow him to travel or not.”
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