Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:15:48 +0000
By Sandra Machima
GOVERNMENT must consider prioritising the procurement of adequate bullet proof jackets or any form of such protective device for law enforcement officers, particularly those working in sensitive operations such as the anti-robbery squad to protect them from criminals, says Human Rights Commission (HRC) spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya.
Mr Muleya said the Commission strongly condemned the killing of two police officers and the wounding of a civilian by suspected criminals in an incident that happened in Ndola.
He described the act as criminal and a grave violation of the right to life of the deceased officers.
“The police officers are law enforcement officers who tirelessly work to protect property and life of others on a daily basis under difficult and risky situations and must therefore be protected from any form of interference or harm during the course of their duty,” he said.
Criminals in Ndola gunned down the two police officers from the flying squad (C5), in a daring robbery of K300, 000 cash from Star Bakery.
The Commission called upon the public to help the Zambia Police Service in tracking down the suspected criminals who were still on the run so that they are brought to book.
Mr Muleya said police officers were primary human rights defenders in line with their constitutional mandate, adding that it was deeply regrettable that the officers had to pay with their own lives in the course of securing the rights of others.
He said deprivation of the right to life constitutes terminal violation of human rights and must at all cost be prevented as life lost cannot be restored.
The HRC has since called on the citizens to collaborate with law enforcement officers in maintaining public security, law and order in order to promote a conducive environment for enjoyment of human rights such as conducting business without fear of being robbed.
“It is also important for law enforcement officers to enhance community service policing and work towards identifying individuals in possession of, and abusing, military weapons such as an AK47 assault rifle,” he said.
