Responding to reports that the Zambian authorities have cancelled the passports of former Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia and former Permanent Representative to the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba, historian and academic Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, former opposition Members of Parliament Binwell Mpundu and Emmanuel Jay Banda, former State House Special Assistant Kaizer Zulu, and blogger Lillian Mutambo on 11 September, Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa said:
“The arbitrary cancellation of passports by Zambian authorities is a violation of international human rights law. By weaponizing citizenship documents to target dissidents, activists, or political opponents, authorities explicitly breach the right to freedom of movement enshrined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR.
The arbitrary cancellation of passports by Zambian authorities is a violation of international human rights law. By weaponizing citizenship documents to target dissidents, activists, or political opponents, authorities explicitly breach the right to freedom of movement enshrined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR.
Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
“This is deeply concerning, particularly given the wider post-election crackdown on dissent, including arbitrary arrests and detention of members of the opposition and other government critics.
“The decision to cancel these passports effectively strips these individuals of their legal and social identity and traps them in a state of de facto statelessness. It undermines their dignity and basic civil protections.
The decision to cancel these passports effectively strips these individuals of their legal and social identity and traps them in a state of de facto statelessness. It undermines their dignity and basic civil protections.
Vongai Chikwan
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