POLITICAL VIOLENCE

ActionAid Zambia strongly condemns recent incidences of political violence witnessed in Zambia particularly on the Copperbelt where the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND and opposition Patriotic Front (PF) youth clashed during the commemoration of the Youth Day,

We have noted the gradual increase in political violence which if left unchecked could affect other people’s rights and national security.

According to the World Health Organization 2002, political violence is characterized by both physical and psychological acts aimed at injuring or intimidating populations.

As an institution that works to promote justice and rule of law, we wish to indicate that, we are deeply saddened with the increased pocket of violence being witnessed at time when all leaders needed to find space to engage and interact with the youth who are facing several un precedented Social and Economic challenges that need attention.

We would love to hear the two political parties differ on views and strategies aimed at creating employment opportunity for the youths as opposed to using them as tools of violence.

We call on the head of state to ensure that youths are given spaces where they can ably compete on business idea as opposite to using them as tools of violence.  The ongoing exchange of harsh words from the statesmen is not inspiring and should be condemned in a strongest possible way.

Any negative pronouncement from the head of state or former head of state is always deemed as policy direction. It is our hope that the messages coming from the leaders should be messages of peace.

ActionAid Zambia wish to take this opportunity to call on the state institutions who has been given the mandate by the constitution to ensure they protect the right of the citizens to express, associate and assemble without any form of harassment.

ISSUED BY

Musonda Kabinga (Mr)

Interim COUNTRY DIRECTOR