Document - Zambia: Amnesty International welcomes the court decision to acquit Fred M'membe

22 December 2000

AI Index AFR 63/004/2000 - News Service Nr. 242

News Flash

Zambia: Amnesty International welcomes the court decision to acquit Fred M'membe.

Amnesty International welcomed the Lusaka High Court decision to acquit Fred M’membe, Editor-in-Chief of The Post.

“Yesterday’s ruling is a victory for the right of freedom to expression in Zambia,” Amnesty International said. "Ensuring respect for the fundamental right to freedom of expression is especially important as the country is going into an election campaign next year”.

This ruling also confirms the independence of the Zambian judiciary in a case where the government has attempted to use politically motivated charges to suppress Zambia’s independent press.

Amnesty International hopes that the court’s verdict will discourage the Zambian government from further harassing the independent media through misuse of criminal charges.

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