By IREEN MULENGA
The Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) is concerned by deteriorating space of civil rights and liabilities in Zambia.
CLR Executive Director Mundia Hakoola said that the shooting at Opposition Motorcade Hakainde Hichilema by the police in Chingola is worrying.
Mr Hakoola said it is disappointing to note that some state institutions that have a mandate protect citizens have actually been used to threaten these same rights and liabilities.
He said the event where opposition leader was shoot at by the Police is an act of dictatorship and recklessness.
Mr Hakoola said that not long ago the Nation lost Nsama Nsama Chipyoka, a civil servant who worked as a prosecutor for the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), and Joseph Kaunda, a member of the United Party for National Development because of unprofessional conduct.
“As an Institute we are concerned by the shrinking space in our democratic tents in Zambia, if the harassing of citizens by state agencies continues we soon be categorized as a dictatorship,” he said.
CLRI has called on the international organisations concerned with human rights to take keen interest in Zambia and begin to aggressively monitor the human rights situation in Zambia.
Mr Hakoola has also called on the Zambia Police and the ministry of home affairs to engage with all stakeholders and find common ground that will head towards a path of transparency and accountability in the way the public order Act is being administered .
He said they should be professional as they execute their constitutional duty to people of Zambia, Failure to take necessary steps to deal with the human rights situation will badly affect our standing as a country globally.
Mr Hakoola said the situation can affect citizen participation in 2021 election and undermine the atmosphere needed for the elections to be declared free and fair.
