Human Rights Watch has urged Zambia to halt its post-election crackdown after opposition figures, journalists and lawyers were arrested or reported to have disappeared following President Hakainde Hichilema’s disputed victory in August.
In a report released on Sunday, the rights group accused the government of suppressing critics and called for the release of people it said had been detained arbitrarily.
HRW said police and military forces had “forcibly disappeared, arbitrarily detained, beat, and threatened” opposition members and supporters, as well as lawyers, journalists and government critics, in the run-up to and aftermath of the election.
“The post-election climate of intimidation, harassment, and repression has had a chilling effect on civic and political organizations, particularly on dissenting voices,” the organisation said.
Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, HRW’s deputy Africa director, said the authorities should end the crackdown, ensure detainees could see lawyers and receive medical care, and hold security forces accountable for abuses.
Hichilema was sworn in for a second term after winning the August election. Critics have alleged that the vote was affected by rigging.
Opposition arrests and court closure
His main rival, Brian Mundubile, was in detention on treason allegations during the inauguration at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. He had claimed that the opposition won the election.
Police raided Mr Mundubile’s home the day after the August 13 poll. Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former cabinet member, was shot and killed during the operation, according to the report.
Human Rights Watch called for an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into Mr Kafwaya’s death. It said about a dozen other opposition figures who challenged the election result had also been arrested.
The group further criticised the sudden closure of Zambia’s courts two weeks after the election. Police described the move as an “intelligence-led and preventive measure”, but did not provide details.
HRW said the closure had prevented opposition figures from bringing legal challenges against the election result.
