Melo News | Sunday, June 9, 2024 | Lusaka
The continuous denial of opposition political parties’ rights to hold public rallies by the police is strongly condemned by Laura Miti, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Action. She labels this action as regressive and completely unacceptable.
Recently, the Zambia Police Service prevented the opposition Socialist Party from conducting a public rally at Changanamai Ground in Kitwe on the Copperbelt, citing security concerns as the reason for their actions.
Ms. Miti emphasizes that the police’s actions not only go against the principles of democracy outlined in the constitution but also constitute an abuse of the public order act, which guarantees citizens and associations the right to peacefully assemble.
In a democratic nation like Zambia, the constitution explicitly permits citizens and associations to gather, and the ongoing suppression of opposition rallies is viewed as a severe infringement on citizens’ rights and poses a significant threat to the democratic process.
Ms. Miti urges the government to respect and uphold the constitution, ensuring that all political parties, regardless of their affiliations, are granted equal opportunities to interact with the public.
Despite the Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba, stating that allowing opposition parties to hold public meetings could lead to attacks from ruling party cadres, Ms. Miti remains steadfast in her call for the protection of democratic principles and the rights of all citizens to freely assemble and express their views.
