Release Xavier Chungu immediately — Amnesty International Africa calls on Zambian authorities
AMNESTY International Africa has called on the Zambian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release opposition political leader Xavier Chungu, arguing that the charges against him are based solely on the peaceful exercise of his fundamental human rights.
The organisation says Chungu, who was a presidential candidate before withdrawing from the race on July 12, was arrested on May 28 following remarks he made during a podcast interview.
According to Amnesty International Africa, Chungu was subsequently charged with seven counts under the State Security Act, three counts of sedition, and one count under the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act.
The organisation further notes that on July 10, Chungu was denied bail after the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a “No Bail Certificate”, which it says limits meaningful judicial oversight and undermines the principle that pretrial detention must have a lawful justification and be both necessary and proportionate.
Amnesty International Africa maintains that the criminal charges against Chungu arise solely from his peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and other protected human rights, and has urged the Zambian authorities to release him without delay.
© TV Yatu|July 31, 2026.
Release Xavier Chungu immediately — Amnesty International Africa calls on Zambian authorities
