By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE biased stance taken by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to only demand for the release of the four UPND officials without showing concern for the welfare of the missing Hatembo siblings is really disappointing, Chilufya Tayali has said.
Mr Tayali who is Economic and Equity Party (EEP) president is also disappointed by the Non-Governmental Organizations movements (NGOs), particularly the NGOCC for having remained mute over the abduction of the two Hatembo family members.
Last week, the HRC called for the immediate release of the four UPND officials who have been detained in Lusaka in connection with the disappearance of Pheluna and her brother, Milton Hatembo.
In an interview, Mr Tayali castigated the HRC for what he termed “their anti-government stance”, cautioning the commission that with its partisan stance, it risked losing its relevance.
“The biasness shown by this so called HRC is so disappointing. We doubt their credibility, they choose to defend suspects just because they are UPND officials instead of defending the victims.
“If the Hatembos were in Government hands, they would be busy issuing statements condemning it and demanding for their release, but just because they know that the victims are in the hands of a named opposition political party, they are quiet and only defending the suspects,” Mr Tayali said.
Mr Tayali also said it was unfortunate and shocking that a known vocal NGOCC has remained mute over the abduction of a vulnerable woman (Pheluna) when the organization is supposed to speak for her.
“This is why some of us are saying these NGOs are anti-government. They are formed just to fight government and not help victims,” he said.
Mr Tayali said he expected both the HRC and NGOCC to be impartial by speaking for the vulnerable Hatembo family members.
