ActionAid condemn Youth Day violence

ACTION Aid Zambia has condemned the political violence that characterised the Youth Day commemoration, particularly on the Copperbelt where the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND are reported to have brutally attacked Patriotic Front (PF) youths.
Interim country Director Musonda Kabinga has expressed concern at the gradual increase in political violence which if left unchecked could affect other people’s rights and national security.
 Mr. Kabinga said according to the World Health Organisation, political violence is characterised by both physical and psychological acts aimed at injuring or intimidating populations.
 “As an institution that works to promote justice and rule of law, we wish to indicate that we are deeply saddened with the increased pockets of violence being witnessed at a time when all leaders need to find space to engage and interact with youths who are facing several Social and Economic challenges that need attention. We would love to hear political parties engaging in strategies aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youths and not violence,” Mr Kabinga said.
He said the ongoing exchange of harsh words between President Hakainde Hichilema and his predecessor, former President Edgar Lungu was not inspiring and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Mr Kabinga saidany pronouncement from President Hichilema as head of State or former Presiddent Lungu had influence on the public and their respective followers.
“It is our hope that the messages coming from the leaders should be messages of peace.
ActionAid Zambia wishes to take this opportunity to call on the state institutions who have been given the mandate by the Constitution to ensure they protect the right of the citizens to express, associate and assemble without any form of harassment,’’ Mr Kabinga said.
He has urged the state institutions with the constitutional mandate to ensure they protected the right of the citizens to express and associate without any form of harassment.