Zambia's Human Rights Commission condemns excessive use of force by Police

The Zambia Human Rights Commission,  has  today, strongly condemned the use of excessive force by the Zambia Police against protesting students at the University of Zambia’s (UNZA) Lusaka campus on Friday night. The Commission says it is concerned at the manner in which Police dealt with the students. This is contained in a statement made available to Vatican Radio by the rights Commission.

The statement by the Director of the Commission, Florence Chibwesha, says that its own preliminary investigations reveal that the Zambia Police used excessive force on the students.  The Commission says it especially regrets the fact that Police threw teargas canisters into a University of Zambia clinic. At the time of throwing the teargas canister into the clinic, medical staff were attending to patients.

On Friday, 14 November last week, UNZA students protested Government’s delay in paying them meal allowances among other grievances. An 18 year old student, Luzwe Njobvu, sustained serious injuries at that the hands of Police. He is currently admitted at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital. The parents of the hospitalised student have complained bitterly, to local media, about their son’s treatment by the Police. Police claim that Luzwe jumped out of moving Police vehicle.

According to the local Post Newspaper,  two floors of a female hostel were gutted by fire suspected to have been caused by a Police teargas canister. The fire forced a female student to jump from the third floor of the burning hostel. She was injured but said to be not in danger. Nine (9) other students were arrested by the Police.

The Human Rights Commission’ statement seems to support reports that Police went overboard in trying to quell the riots by the students. The Commission has condemned Police action in strong terms. It says, “Acts of violence by the Police reinforce mistrust between the Police and the general public. Law Enforcement Officers are there to keep law and order and this should not de-generate into violence. It calls for assertive policing as opposed to police brutality,” reads the Commission’ statement.

The rights Commission, nevertheless, says it recognises the important role that Police play in suppressing disturbances which threaten life and property through acceptable means and thereby maintaining or restoring social order in the nation.

The Commission is hopeful that the Police command will investigate the alleged Police brutality with necessary speed and ensure action is taken against those that will be found wanting.  At the same time, the Commission is of view that “acts of violence by university students on members of the public cannot be condoned. It is unacceptable that students believe that they are justified in causing malicious damage to property of private citizens as a way of resolving their grievances. Such conduct must be condemned by all,” the Commission emphasises.

In conclusion, the Zambian Human Rights Commission insists that  the “Constitutional Right to gather or demonstrate to express oneself guaranteed by the freedom of speech and assembly comes with the pre-requisite of it being exercised in a peaceful manner. Violent protests and use of excessive force by (law enforcement authorities) should be regarded as a serious violation of basic human rights that can threaten rights such as the right to life, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.”

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