REVOKE ARTICLE 31 DEMAND CIVIL SOCIETY

Sat, 02 Sep 2017 11:24:50 +0000

By Annie Zulu

A CONSORTIUM of Civil Society Organisations have appealed to Government to consider revoking the threatened state of public emergency under Article 31 of the republican Constitution.

This follows a stakeholder’s consultative meeting which was held last month by the CSOs and various stakeholders.

The Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Engwase Mwale said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, that the CSOs resolved that the threatened state of public emergency be revoked, as the tension that led to the proclamation by President Edgar Lungu had been brought under considerable control.

On July 5, 2017, President Lungu proclaimed a threatened state of emergency, whose extension for 90 days was approved by majority of members of Parliament as per Article 31 Clause 5 of the Constitution of Zambia.

Ms Mwale said the CSOs would, therefore, petition the National Assembly to pass a resolution revoking the threatened state of public emergency as a situation no longer existed.

“Following the presentation from various stakeholders at the consultative meeting on the threatened state of public emergency, we are convinced that the tension that existed and led to the unfortunate happenings has been brought under considerable control and room for dialogue can be cemented,” Ms Mwale said.

She also reaffirmed the CSOs commitment to working with Government and other stakeholders in advancing dialogue, reconciliation and national healing.

And Zambia Council for Social Development executive director Lewis Mwape claimed that the invocation of the threatened state of emergency had led to unnecessary human rights violations by the police. “Following sporadic fires across the country and the burning of Lusaka’s City Market, the National Assembly referred to these incidents as “acts of sabotage and terrorism.

“However, the cause of these fires have not been fully established although we take notice that the Inspector General of Police confirmed that they were acts of arson.

“We saw people being arrested and detained more than necessary and later on released without charge,” he said.