Zambia asks UN rights expert to correct “error” on treason law

THE Zambian government has called on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Assembly and Association, Gina Romero, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to publicly correct what it described as an "erroneous description" of treason as a capital offence in Zambia. In a statement, the

Audio article Listen to this story Share Send this story

THE Zambian government has called on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Assembly and Association, Gina Romero, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to publicly correct what it described as an “erroneous description” of treason as a capital offence in Zambia.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the correction should be issued “promptly and with the same prominence as the original statement.”

The request follows a statement by Romero urging Zambian authorities to release all political detainees and restore democratic accountability. She cited alleged widespread arrests of opposition supporters and what she described as “concocted charges of treason” against senior opposition alliance members following the post-election period.

The Ministry said the statement contained “a fundamental and readily verifiable error of law,” presented contested allegations as established facts, and prejudged matters before the courts.

“Zambia abolished the death penalty under the Penal Code in December 2022 and subsequently removed it from military law through the Defence (Amendment) Act signed in December 2023,” the Ministry said.

It added that the Special Rapporteur’s position contrasted with that of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, who was present in Zambia during the events and facilitated the handover of two leaders to the Church and later to security agencies.

“The United Nations’ own envoy, engaged directly and on the ground, chose constructive facilitation. The Special Rapporteur, at a distance and without such engagement, chose condemnation by news release,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry warned that describing treason charges as “concocted” before judicial examination could prejudice ongoing proceedings and undermine the objectivity expected of UN Special Procedures.

“Zambia welcomes scrutiny and claims no immunity from criticism. But scrutiny must itself meet the standards of fairness, accuracy and impartiality that the Human Rights Council has set,” the statement said. “Independence does not dispense with verification. An allegation does not become a fact by being repeated in a United Nations news release.”

Engage with this story

Comment 0Likes 0Reactions 0Comments 0Shares Be the first reader to react to this story

Discussion

Join the Conversation

Share your thoughts. Let's keep it respectful and constructive.

Start the discussion Sort by: No comments yetBe the first to bring a thoughtful perspective to this story. Comment as a guest No account is needed. Sign in only if you want your comment tied to your profile. Sign in instead