By MILDRED KATONGO  –
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has urged Zambians to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum on August 11 as this is a progressive step towards enhancing Zambia’s democracy.
LAZ  council member Chishimba Kaela denounced politicians who are urging people to vote against the referendum, describing such a stance as cheap politicking.
Mr Kaela said the legal body would continue encouraging Zambians to support the referendum so as to ensure consolidation of the Constitution.
He said this during a public discussion organised by the Human Rights Commission on implementation of the Public Order Act (POA) in Ndola yesterday.
He said to vote ‘No’ to the referendum would be like chaining Zambians to colonial bondage as well as depriving the citizens of their rights.
He said LAZ was happy with the provisions and the contents of the referendum, and supporting it was progressive for the country.
Mr Kaela said the provisions in the current Constitution were still there in the draft document and questioned why people should vote against the referendum.
“As LAZ our stance has been that people should vote ‘Yes’. We feel this is progressive in a democratic country like Zambia. If we do not vote ‘Yes’, then we will remain where we are.
“LAZ feels the provisions and contents of the Bill of Rights are okay and that every being has a right to enjoy. Politicians that are telling people to vote against the referendum are just doing that for propaganda because the contents and the provisions are okay and it is the way to go if Zambia has to progress,” he said.
Mr Kaela said the time to sensitise citizens in order to make them understand the referendum so as to make informed decisions was limited, and that concerted efforts from all stakeholders were needed.
He said the Government and all well-meaning Zambians, including civil society organisations, were mandated to educate citizens on the referendum and make them understand what they were voting for.
And the HRC called for self-restraint in all political parties during the campaigns to ensure the rule of law was upheld.
HRC chief information, education and training officer, Mweelwa Muleya reiterated concerns over the increased cases of violence and urged politicians to show restraint whenever provoked.
Mr Muleya said suppression of human rights could lead to a breakdown of law and order, and urged politicians to respect one another and to allow different opinions.
He said the HRC had observed that the Public Order Act was not being applied fairly.
Mr Muleya said lack of dialogue among stakeholders and the police was a source of conflict which had resulted in political violence.