UA 64/93 - Zambia: legal concern: Bweendo Mulengela, Bonnie Tembo, Peter Lishika, Christopher Muyoka, Weze Kaunda, Steven Moyo, Rabson Chongo, Stan Mutanga, McPherson Mbulo, William Banda, Rupiya Banda, Sianda Ilukena, Cuthbert Nguni, Henry Kamima, Philem
The above-named members of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) have been detained without trial since early March 1993. They are being held under regulations invoked following the declaration of a State of Emergency on 4 March 1993, the first declared by the present government. These regulations allow indefinite administrative detention without charge or trial. The 18 detainees are being held in various police stations and are reported to be under interrogation. Weze Kaunda, son of the former President of Zambia, is reported to have started a hunger-strike. The detainees appear to be prisoners of conscience.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 63/01/93
Distr: UA/SC
UA 64/93 Legal concern 9 March 1993
ZAMBIA:
Bweendo Mulengela
Bonnie Tembo
Peter Lishika
Christopher Muyoka
Wezi Kaunda
Steven Moyo
Rabson Chongo
Stan Mutanga
McPherson Mbulo
William Banda
Rupiya Banda
Sianda Ilukena
Cuthbert Nguni
Henry Kamima
Philemon Lwabila
Peter Mwanza
Stanley Mhango
Ackim Zimba
Amnesty International is concerned at the detention without charge or trial in Zambia
of the above 18 members of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) which took
place on 5 and 7 March 1993. The 18 appear to be prisoners of conscience and Amnesty
International is urging the government to release them if they are not to be promptly
charged with a recognizably criminal offence.
The detainees are being held under the Preservation of Public Security Regulations
which provide for indefinite administrative detention without charge or trial. This
legislation can only be invoked following the declaration of a State of Emergency,
which took place on 4 March 1993.
Amnesty International, however, opposes the use of powers of indefinite detention
without charge or trial, considering that if suspected of committing offences
prisoners should be referred to a fair trial within a reasonable period.
This is the first time the government, formed by the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy
(MMD) led by President Frederick Chiluba, has introduced a State of Emergency and
detained political opponents since coming to power in multi-party elections in October
1991. The previous government, formed by UNIP, maintained a State of Emergency
throughout its 27 year rule and used it justify the detention of government critics
and political opponents. When in opposition the MMD campaigned for human rights
improvements and condemned UNIP's use of emergency regulations.
The 18 detainees are being held in various police stations in different parts of
the country where they are reported to be under interrogation by military officials.
One, Weze Kaunda, son of former UNIP leader and Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda,
is reported to have started a hunger-strike on 5 March.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The government claims to have discovered a UNIP plot to make the country ungovernable
through an orchestrated campaign of civil disobedience. The evidence so far made
public by the government is a document entitled The Zero Option which was discovered
in UNIP headquarters in Lusaka. The UNIP leadership has denied that the document
was party policy. The authorities claim to have subsequently uncovered a second
document which gives details of a coup plot.
The MMD government has implemented a structural adjustment program under International
Monetary Fund guidelines. Unemployment has risen sharply and there have been
widespread strikes. Government policies are increasingly unpopular, especially
among the poor.
Page 2 of UA 64/93
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/airmail letters either in English
or in your own language:
- expressing concern at the detention without charge or trial of the 18 United National
Independence Party (UNIP) members named above (please select two or three names from
the list as examples) who Amnesty International believes may be prisoners of conscience
detained for their non-violent opposition to the government;
- expressing Amnesty International's opposition to administrative detention
procedures which provide for indefinite detention without charge or trial;
- expressing Amnesty International's particular concern that the government has
resorted to the use of administrative detention procedures despite its former
opposition to their use by the previous government;
- urging that the 18 detainees be released if they are not to be charged with a
recognisably criminal offence and brought promptly to a fair trial.
APPEALS TO:
1) His Excellency Frederick Chiluba
President of the Republic of Zambia
Office of the President
State House, PO Box 30208
Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: President Chiluba, Lusaka,
Zambia
Telexes: 41998 or 41460
Salutation: Your Excellency
2) The Hon. Newstead Zimba
Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
PO Box 32862, Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: Hon. Newstead Zimba,
Minister of Home Affairs,
Lusaka, Zambia
Telexes: 40344
Salutation: Dear Minister
3) The Hon. Vernon Mwaanga
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Charter House, PO Box 50069
Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: Hon. Vernon Mwaanga,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Lusaka, Zambia
Telexes: 41290
Salutation: Dear Minister
4) The Hon. Dr Roger Chongwe
Minister of Legal Affairs
Ministry of Legal Affairs
PO Box 50106
Fairley Rd, Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: Hon. Dr Roger Chongwe,
Minister of Legal Affairs,
Lusaka, Zambia
Telexes: 40564
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO the following newspapers:
The Editor
Weekly Post
Private Bag EF 352
Lusaka, Zambia
The Editor
The Times of Zambia
PO Box 30394
Lusaka, Zambia
and to diplomatic representatives of Zambia accredited to your country
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your
section office, if sending appeals after 20 April 1993.