HRW calls on Zambia to halt post-election crackdown
Opposition figures arrested and disappeared since President Hakainde Hichilema claimed August victory.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Zambia’s authorities to halt the vicious clampdown on the political opposition that was launched following President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in disputed elections in August.
The rights group demanded in a report released on Sunday that the authorities put a stop to the intensifying crackdown.
It accused Zambia’s government of silencing government critics, with several members of the opposition, as well as journalists and lawyers, arrested and some having disappeared in recent months.
“The authorities should immediately halt the ongoing post-election crackdown, allow access to lawyers and provide medical care for those in detention, release everyone arbitrarily detained, and ensure accountability for abuses by security forces.”