OYV condemns PF government for arresting innocent youths

Operation Young Vote (OYV) has condemned the governing Patriotic Front (PF) for arresting innocent youths from Action Aid.

This is contained in a press statement released today Wednesday March 13 by OYV Executive Director Guess Nyirenda.

42 youths from the Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Action Aid Zambia, were yesterday arrested and detained for nearly six hours for wearing t-shirts with the words “We want the New Constitution” and “National Referendum – Not Negotiable” written on the front and back respectively.

The youths were arrested during a march past commemorating the Zambian Youth Day celebrations held at Lusaka’s Freedom Statue.

Below is the full press statement by OYV:

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

ARREST OF THE YOUTH DURING MARCH PAST DURING THE YOUTH DAY COMMEMORATION BY THE POLICE

The arbitrary arrest, by the police, of about 42 innocent youth/students from Action Aid Zambia that went to march at the Freedom Statue for putting on T-shirts bearing messages demanding the constitution is not only an infringement on the freedom of expression of the youth but also a dent on the peace and tranquility that that has enjoyed for 50 years.

It is unexplainable that innocent youth and students that were supposed to be enjoying their youth could be arrested and detained for six (6) hours or so. Worse still these young Zambians were humiliated by striping them. This is unacceptable. The T-shirts were not insulting, demeaning or suggesting violence to or with anyone. Is this surely what the youth elected in 2011 when they turned out en masses to cast their ballot? Today the same youth have become criminals for merely expressing themselves through a T-shirt demanding their document which they feel someone is not doing justice to it. This is shameful to say the least.

The youth are supposed to receive empowerment and motivation on this day as opposed to being arrested and detained for hour on end.

Operation Young Vote (OYV) is saddened at this development which must be stopped immediately.

It is now very clear that those that boycotted the events are justified. Instead of concentrating on the failures of the regime such as: (failure to come up with the comprehensive employment and empowerment strategy, failure to revise the archaic 1986 National Youth Development Council (NYDC) Act, giving 41 “youth associations” empowerment without following procedure, dillydallying in releasing the people driven constitution)  the government decides to arrest and detain very innocent the youth. The souls of the heroes and heroines must have turned in their graves in anguish and dismay.

OYV’s message to the youth is that it is important for all well-meaning young people to seriously begin to prepare now seriously for leaders for 2016 and beyond.  According to the Bible 50 years entails year of New Release, therefore young people should thank God that Zambia is turning 50 years this year.

Guess Nyirenda (Mr.)

Executive Director A