By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub
United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has called on the United Nations (UN) to respect Zambia's sovereignty and allow the country's judicial system to independently handle ongoing treason and insurgency-related cases.
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| (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe |
His remarks come amid growing debate following concerns raised by a United Nations official over the detention of several opposition figures facing treason charges.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Simuuwe argued that individuals accused of serious offences such as treason and insurgency should be subjected to Zambia's legal process rather than being treated as political detainees before the courts have determined their cases.
He said Zambia has established institutions capable of fairly handling criminal matters and urged international organisations to respect the country's constitutional and judicial independence.
According to Simuuwe, prematurely classifying suspects as political detainees risks undermining ongoing legal proceedings and public confidence in the justice system.
Cites Previous Treason Cases
To support his argument, Simuuwe referred to previous high-profile treason-related cases in Zambia involving Captain Solo, Shamwana, and Adamson Mushala, saying the country has historically relied on its courts to determine such matters.
He maintained that the current cases should be treated in the same manner, with the judiciary allowed to independently assess the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.
Simuuwe also expressed concern over reports alleging that some opposition political parties had sent members for military training outside Zambia and that civilians had allegedly acquired military weapons.
He argued that if such allegations are supported by evidence, they should be investigated thoroughly through the country's legal institutions.
At this stage, these allegations remain matters that would require evidence and, where applicable, judicial determination.
Criticism of the UN
The UPND official further questioned the United Nations' approach to conflicts on the African continent.
He cited ongoing crises in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that the international community should focus more on preventing armed conflicts and political instability before they escalate.
He said Zambia has earned international respect for its contribution to peacekeeping operations and commended the country's security agencies for maintaining peace and stability.
If You Missed It: What the UN Said
Simuuwe's comments follow concerns raised by a United Nations human rights expert, who called on the Zambian Government to ensure that the rights of individuals arrested on treason-related charges are fully respected.
The UN official urged authorities to uphold due process, guarantee access to legal representation and family members, and ensure that any criminal proceedings comply with international human rights standards.
The statement did not determine the guilt or innocence of those charged. Instead, it emphasized that all accused persons are entitled to a fair trial and due process under the law.
The comments came after former presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, lawyer Makebi Zulu, businessman Valden Findlay, and several others were charged with treason.
The differing positions from the United Nations and the Zambian Government illustrate the balance between two important principles:
National sovereignty, which allows Zambia to administer justice through its own courts.
International human rights standards, which call for fair trials, due process and the protection of the rights of accused persons.
Both principles can coexist. Respecting Zambia's judicial independence does not remove the obligation to ensure legal proceedings meet constitutional and international standards.
BalanceHub Analysis
As the treason cases move before the courts, public debate is likely to continue both within Zambia and internationally.
For the Government, the focus is on allowing the judiciary to determine the cases without external interference. For the United Nations and human rights advocates, the emphasis is on ensuring that the rights of all accused persons are protected throughout the legal process.
Ultimately, it will be the courts—not public opinion or political statements—that determine the outcome of these cases based on the evidence presented.
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