UPND & UN clash over claims of widespread intimidation and concocted treason charges in Zambia

The United Nations and Zambia’s ruling United […]

The United Nations and Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) have clashed over the country’s democratic and human rights environment, with the UN raising serious concerns while the ruling party has rejected the allegations as inaccurate and unsubstantiated.

A check on the the standoff by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT established that the clash follows a statement dated September 2,2026 by UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Gina Romero, who has expressed “grave concern” over what she described as a deteriorating democratic and human rights environment following Zambia’s August 13, 2026 general elections.

Romero has cited alleged widespread intimidation, the arrest of hundreds of opposition supporters, prolonged detention without formal charges and alleged “concocted” treason charges against senior opposition alliance leaders.

However, addressing the media on September 3, 2026, UPND Legal and Constitutional Affairs Chairperson Jack Mwiimbu has rejected the claims, arguing that Zambia remains a constitutional democracy where arrests and legal proceedings are conducted in accordance with the law and due process.

“The UPND wishes to firmly reject the inaccurate, one-sided, and unsubstantiated allegations contained in the Special Rapporteur’s press release,” said Mwiimbu.

Romero has also raised concerns over alleged voter intimidation, assaults and abductions, as well as violence and loss of life, saying the developments require immediate international scrutiny.

But Mwiimbu has maintained that the government has acted within its sovereign mandate to maintain law and order, protect national security and ensure a peaceful post-election transition.

“The detention of individuals suspected of involvement in activities threatening national security is the lawful duty of any responsible government and does not constitute criminalisation of political dissent,” said Mwiimbu.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur has also linked the situation to what she described as a broader pattern of shrinking civic space, including restrictions involving opposition leaders, parliamentarians, civil society actors and journalists.

“A healthy democracy requires that all voices, including opposition members, religious leaders, civil society actors, and journalists speak freely without fear,” said Romero.

The UPND has also disputed Romero’s assessment of the RightsCon technology and human rights conference, arguing that the government’s decision concerning the event was based on administrative considerations rather than political motives.

Mwiimbu has further pointed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission, which he said found the political environment in most areas of deployment to be peaceful and described it as an improvement compared with the 2021 elections.

However, Romero has maintained that the alleged restrictions, arbitrary detentions and disproportionate charges raise concerns under international human rights standards, including Zambia’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The dispute has now shifted beyond the allegations themselves, with the UPND arguing that Romero exceeded the mandate given to her by the UN Human Rights Council by commenting on electoral processes, criminal charges and broader political matters.

According to Mwiimbu, the Special Rapporteur should have confined her assessment to her thematic mandate on freedom of peaceful assembly and association and should have allowed the Zambian Government an adequate opportunity to respond to the allegations.

The UPND has therefore indicated that the matter should be formally taken to the UN Special Procedures Coordinating Committee for review, while also urging government to engage the UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Beatrice Mutali, to clarify the UN’s position.

By Philip Sinkala