Press Release dated Wednesday 15th April 2020 in Response to the use of Corporal Punishment (Beatings) Against Citizens during the Covid-19 Pandemic

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By Linda Kasonde

Executive Director, Chapter One Foundation 

Email: infodesk@cof.org.zm

Telephone: +260 953 725 510

We look forward to being of assistance.

Chapter One Foundation promotes and protects human rights, human rights defenders, constitutionalism, social justice and the rule of law in Zambia, primarily through strategic litigation, advocacy and capacity building. Our aim is to promote and protect the Constitution and the rights included in it and by so doing, free the space for Zambians to fully realise the rights and freedoms afforded to them in a democratic society such as Zambia.

Chapter One Foundation appreciates that during the Corona Virus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemics special measures need to be put in place to protect the health and safety of citizens.

However, Chapter One Foundation does not believe that such measures extend to inflicting corporal punishment on citizens who do not abide by any lawful measure.

We would like to reiterate our calls and the calls of many other organisations including the Law Association of Zambia and the Human Rights Commission calling for the law enforcement authorities to stop assaulting individuals who frequent nightclubs and bars or are otherwise found outside their homes at night during the pandemic.

We believe that any punishment meted out to such individuals should be proportionate and lawful. It is regrettable that this abuse is being sanctioned by the Minister of Lusaka Province, Honourable Bowman Lusambo.

We equally condemn his attacks on the spokesperson of the Human Rights Commission for simply calling out the abuse of human rights as per their statutory mandate.

We however commend the Inspector-General of Police for urging law enforcement officials to desist from assaulting citizens however, what is required is decisive action that will definitively stop the abuse of citizens in this manner.

In line with its mandate to promote human rights, protect human rights defenders and to uphold the rule of law, Chapter One Foundation is calling on any individuals who may have been unlawfully assaulted by law enforcement authorities to present their cases to us for assistance. We may be contacted on the following email address and telephone number:

 

Email: infodesk@cof.org.zm

Telephone: +260 953 725 510

We look forward to being of assistance.

Linda Kasonde

Executive Director

Chapter One Foundation