The Zambian Government has officially protested remarks attributed to United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Gina Romero as undiplomatic and falling short of the standards of objectivity, moderation and discretion expected of UN mandate-holders.
Ms Romero caused a furore in public circles, after sentiments she made during the week instructing the Zambian authorities to release “all political detainees, respect fundamental freedoms, and restore democratic accountability.”
She was referring to a security operation in which losing National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and some senior opposition figures along with 11 others were detained for
being found at a premise in Lusaka’s Kabulonga high residential suburbs and involvement in suspected suspicious conduct.
The security swoop also allegedly found at the same premises, military grade equipment, which included guns, among other sophisticated weaponry.
The two leaders, Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu escaped to a UN facility in Lusaka, where they stayed for several days, before they were handed over to Government authorities, who immediately detained them and charged them with a case of treason.
The other detainees were taken also lawfully custody and held at the Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Kabwe.
Ms Romero’s remarks irked the Government, who filed a statement through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and yesterday that her remarks were inaccurate, prejudicial and outside her mandate.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement stated further that the remarks contradicted the position of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, who was present in Zambia during the events and personally facilitated the handover of two opposition leaders into the care of the Church and subsequently to security agencies, with assurances that their rights would be respected.
