Stop crackdown on opposition – UN

…as the Special Rapporteur Gina Romero calls for release of political detainees, protection of civic space and an end to post-election suppression. By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT should immediately end the post-election crackdown and release all political detainees, the United Nations Special Rapporteur Gina Romero has said. Ms Romero said there is a deteriorating democratic and human rights environment in Zambia, urging the government to uphold democratic integrity, safeguard civic space and stop what she termed the criminalisation of political dissent. Her concerns come in the aftermath of the August 13 general elections, following allegations of electoral irregularities and reports of arrests and intimidation involving opposition supporters. Ms Romero said reports indicate alleged systemic violations, including the arrest of hundreds of opposition supporters, some of whom she said had been held beyond legally prescribed periods without formal charges. She is also concerned about the “concocted charges of treason” - a capital offence - against senior opposition alliance leaders, saying such actions could set a dangerous precedent. Ms Romero said reports of voter intimidation, assaults and abductions, coupled with incidents of violence and loss of life, including the death of a former Cabinet minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya and a polling agent, required immediate international scrutiny. “This crisis reflects a broader pattern of shrinking civic space. The pattern of restrictions includes arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders, parliamentarians, and civil society actors on charges that were often disproportionate and legally ambiguous,” she said. Ms Romero said concerns over attacks on political opponents had previously been raised with the government through an official communication and that she had remained engaged with authorities over warning signs ahead of the elections. She also noted that similar concerns had been raised in 2025 by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Ms Romero also cited the government’s alleged de facto cancellation of RightsCon, an international technology and human rights conference that was scheduled to take place in Lusaka, as another illustration of what she described as the shrinking civic space. The conference was cancelled days before its scheduled started following the withdrawal of administrative support and allegations of foreign political pressure, according to the Special Rapporteur. Ms Romero said arbitrary detentions, disproportionate charges, including sedition and espionage, and restrictions on peaceful assembly were inconsistent with international human rights standards under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “A healthy democracy requires that all voices - including opposition members, religious leaders, civil society actors, and journalists - speak freely without fear,” she said. “Authorities must release all political detainees, respect fundamental freedoms, and restore democratic accountability.” Ends.

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