STOP CALLING SUSPECTED MILITIA POLITICAL DETAINEES, SAYS SIMUUWE
STOP CALLING SUSPECTED MILITIA POLITICAL DETAINEES, SAYS SIMUUWE.
By Veronica Chilufya
UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe has urged the United Nations to stop classifying suspected militia members facing criminal charges in Zambia as political detainees.
In a Statement, Mr. Simuuwe says the UN should instead support the arrest and prosecution of individuals suspected of terrorism, insurgency and other serious criminal offences, while respecting Zambia’s sovereignty and legal institutions
He said Zambia has previously handled treason-related cases through the courts and should be allowed to follow the law in dealing with current cases.
Mr. Simuuwe, has also accused some opposition political parties of sending their members for military training in other countries, warning that such activities could threaten Zambia’s peace and stability.
He has further criticised the UN’s handling of conflicts in countries such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the organisation has not done enough to protect lives and address political violence
Mr. Simuuwe, has commended Zambia’s security forces for maintaining peace and urged the UN to support the prosecution of suspected militia members rather than calling for their release without trial.