FODEP condemns Press harassment by Police
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the continued intimidation and harassment of other players in a democratic space. It is clear with the behavior of the police that the democratic space in Zambia has shrunk since 2011.” FODEP
McDonald Chipenzi – FODEP
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed its disappointment at the manner police is trying to intimidate and harass innocent citizens such as journalists and political opponents to the ruling party during the tour of their duty. In a press statement issued by McDonald Chipenzi its Executive Director this afternoon.
The summoning of the HOT Fm Editors over a non-issue using archaic laws is most unfortunate for police that calls itself a police service. The police are creating an impression that freedom after speech in Zambia is not guaranteed. ISO FM in Isoka, Muchinga Province is in problems just for featuring an opposition political party leader. Do the police really understand plural democracy or politics or that we are in democratic plural politics? The press statement asked.
In this regard, FODEP implores all Zambians to demand for the repeal of all laws that are inimical to the attainment of a sound democratic dispensation such as the public order Act, NGO Act, current “defective” constitution and the penal Code esp. section 67 which curtails people’s freedom of expression.
The demand for a new constitution should be the rallying point for all Zambians to curtail excessive abuse of power and authority by state institutions. Zambians must realize that today it is the journalists, CSOs and political players who are being harassed; tomorrow it will be the ordinary people.
Further, it is highly regrettable that platoons of police officers are being sent to block peaceful processions as is the case in Mongu, Western province where one of the opposition political party leader was almost deterred from holding meetings and radio stations warned not air paid up programs. This is at the expense of huge taxpayers’ money which could be used to fight real crime in townships and other areas.
This follows recent summoning and cautioning by Zambian Police of journalists and Press establishments in the country, as well as the lates barring of opposition UPND party president Hakainde Hichilema from free movement and expression on his recent tour to western province.
Zambian Eye Bureau