Further information on UA 64/93 (AFR 63/01/93, 9 March and follow-ups AFR 63/02/93, 19 March and AFR 63/03/93, 23 March) - Zambia: legal concern: Bweendo Mulengela, Bonnie Tembo, Peter Lishika, Christopher Muyoka, Wezi Kaunda, Steven Moyo, Rabson Chongo,
Rabson Chongo, Stan Mutanga, William Banda, Rupiya Banda and McPherson Mbulo, who were arrested on 5 and 7 March 1993, have had their detention orders revoked and were released on 24 April. The nine others named above, have been officially informed of the reasons for their arrest, although the government appears unable to bring criminal charges against them. The Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs has indicated that the allegations that Cuthbert Nguni and Henry Kamima were ill-treated in detention, will be investigated.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 63/05/93
Distr: UA/SC
28 April 1993
Further information on UA 64/93 (AFR 63/01/93, 9 March 1993) and follow-ups AFR
63/02/93, 19 March 1993 and AFR 63/03/93, 23 March 1993 - Legal concern
ZAMBIA:
Bweendo Mulengela
Bonnie Tembo
Peter Lishika
Christopher Muyoka
Wezi Kaunda
Steven Moyo
Rabson Chongo - released
Stan Mutanga - released
William Banda - released
Rupiya Banda - released
Sianda Ilukena
Cuthbert Nguni
Henry Kamima
McPherson Mbulo - released
Amnesty International has learnt that Rabson Chongo, Stan Mutanga, William Banda,
Rupiya Banda and McPherson Mbulo, who were arrested on 5 and 7 March 1993, have had
their detention orders revoked and were released on 24 April 1993. All were detained
under the Preservation of Public Security Regulations which came in force after a
State of Emergency was declared on 4 March 1993. The regulations allow indefinite
detention without charge or trial.
The nine other men named above, who were detained on 5 and 7 March 1993, have been
officially informed of the reasons for their arrest. The Movement for Multi-Party
Democracy (MMD) government, led by President Frederick Chiluba, alleges that they
were the authors of a document entitled the Zero Option, which outlines a strategy
to make the country ungovernable through a campaign of civil disobedience; that they
conspired to carry out its contents; and that they disseminated the document between
1 January and 5 March 1993. The government does not appear to be in a position to
bring criminal charges against the detainees.
It has been alleged that Cuthbert Nguni and Henry Kamima have been ill-treated in
detention and the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs has indicated that
these allegations will be investigated. Cuthbert Nguni, member of parliament for
Chipata, was allegedly questioned without a break for 39 hours during which time
he was made to balance on two bricks. It is also alleged that he was made to perform
exercises that involved spinning in one place to induce dizziness and that when he
fell to the ground he was kicked. Henry Kamima, former head of security when UNIP
was in government, is reported to have been tied to a chair and punched.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The government led by President Frederick Chiluba 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 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.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/airmail letters in English
or your own language:
- expressing concern at the continuing detention without charge or trial of the nine
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;
Page 2 of 3FU 64/93
- expressing Amnesty International's opposition to administrative detention
procedures which provide for indefinite detention without charge or trial;
- expressing concern at allegations that Cuthbert Nguni and Henry Kamima have been
physically ill-treated;
- welcoming the announcement by the Minister for Legal and Constitutional Affairs
that allegations of ill-treatment would be investigated but urging that these
investigations be independent and impartial and that the government makes public
their findings;
- welcoming the release of Rabson Chongo, Stan Mutanga, William Banda, Rupiya Banda
and McPherson Mbulo and William Banda and urging that all the other 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 Salutation: Your Excellency
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
2) The Hon. Newstead Zimba Salutation: Dear Minister
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
3) The Hon. Vernon Mwaanga Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Charter House
PO Box 50069
Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: Hon. Vernon Mwaanga, Minsiter of Foreign Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia
Telexes: 41290
4) The Hon. L. Sondashi Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Legal Affairs
Ministry of Legal Affairs
PO Box 50106
Fairley Rd
Lusaka, Zambia
Telegrams: Hon. L Sondashi, Minister of Legal Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia
Telexes: 40564
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 9 June 1993.