ActionAid have expressed disappointment that Zambia Police Inspector General Stella Libongani would allow her offices to undress young girls who were participating in a marching event.
The 46 youth wore t-shirts during Youth Day celebrations demanding the roadmap to the new constitution that President Michael Sata pledged to deliver within 90 days of assuming power.
President Sata has since refused to give Zambians a new constitution.
Below is a statement by ActionAid
ACTIONAID ACTIVISTS AND STAFF RELEASED WITHOUT CHARGE
The 46 young people from ActionAid’s young activist network and three ActionAid staff members detained by police in Lusaka yesterday were released without charge later the same day.
The youth people who form ActionAid’s ‘Activista’ group were participating in a peaceful and non-violent march in Lusaka organised by the government to mark National Youth Day. The young people who are aged between 19 and 33 and come from all backgrounds wore t-shirts with messages calling for a national referendum and a new Constitution. The t-shirts had been previously used by ActionAid for campaign work within recent months.
This incident follows a rejection by parliament on Tuesday of a motion moved by Mazabuka Central MP, Garry Mkombo urging the government to put in place a roadmap for the enactment of a new Constitution.
Pamela Chisanga, ActionAid Zambia Country Director said:
“During the course of the march, the young people were approached by a man who identified himself as a “Patriotic Front (PF) official” and said that the youths were not allowed to wear the t-shirts. The youths were then taken to the central police station because, according to the police, PF cadres were threatening to lynch them. It is regrettable the PF is failing to deal with the violent conduct of its members which is now becoming a serious threat to national peace.
“We were shocked that police could detain innocent young Zambians for demanding a new Constitution. Upon release a number of the activists required medical attention and ActionAid is ensuring they receive the care they need. We are saddened that the young people – including girls – were forced to take off the t-shirts, leaving them indecently exposed. At a time when we have a woman at the helm of the police service, this is very embarrassing.
“We are disappointed that the police have misinterpreted the failure of the motion in Parliament on the Constitution road map as a sign to curtail any public engagement on the Constitution-making process. ActionAid firmly believes in the right to freedom of expression and we are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety and security of our activists. As ActionAid, we regret that overzealous police action marred what was otherwise a peaceful event. We encourage our police service to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders such as civil society to avoid similar occurrences in future.”
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