Chief government spokesperson Dr Joseph Katema has belatedly responded to concerns raised by international rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam who had asked the United States government to advise the Patriotic Front government to halt its assault on democracy.
Katema, who did not respond to the specific issues raised, opted to scream the ‘internationally disgraced’ lawyer card.
“To comment to an international disgraced lawyer, I think government is above that who is he anyway?” said Katema.
“Is he a politician or what does he want to do? If he is a politician we will send him to the appropriate party officials to respond to him. Otherwise there is nothing to comment on assumption by an internationally disgraced attorney; he should speak to his profession.”
On Monday, Amsterdam issued a statement urging Washington to address issues of Zambia’s poor governance record.
Amsterdam, representing the Coalition for the Defence of Democratic Rights (CDDR), stated that the U.S. administration must curb its blind support of the Patriotic Front (PF) government, which is responsible for growing political violence, repression, and failure of governance that threatens the nation’s stability.
“It’s a disgrace. People are suffering under this incompetent and brutal PF government, but the United States continues to give its tacit support,” said Amsterdam.
“The U.S. administration must wake up to the worsening situation in Zambia. During his visit to Washington, Vice President Guy Scott must be grilled on critical issues such as President Michael Sata’s health, the PF’s failure to deliver the draft constitution, and the widespread harassment of journalists and opposition MPs.”
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