Government has expressed concern over the incorrect article published in one of the daily tabloids dated Monday 13 January 2025 with the headline “UN Sanctions Zambia for Rights Violations”.
In a statement to RCV News, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Etambuyu Gundersen, has reassured the public that the United Nations General Assembly has neither considered nor passed any resolution to suspend or remove Zambia from the Human Rights Council, as Zambia is not currently a member of the Council.
Ms. Gundersen explained that the Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body under the UN, consisting of 47 member states elected by a majority vote of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and that members serve a three-year term on a rotational basis and are not eligible for re-election after two consecutive terms.
She highlighted that Zambia was among the inaugural members of the Human Rights Council, serving from 2006 to 2008. In accordance with the Council’s principle of equitable geographical distribution, Zambia intends to run for a seat again in the 2026 UNGA elections, representing the SADC region in the African States category, for a three-year term beginning 1 January 2027.
Ms. Gundersen has also emphasized that government remains fully committed to its human rights obligations under both domestic and international law and that it will continue to collaborate with the UN’s independent human rights experts who report and advise on country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.
She said the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, invited by the government, is scheduled to visit Zambia on 19 January 2025, further demonstrating the country’s commitment to transparency and the protection of human rights.
“While freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it is not guaranteed in absolute terms but must be exercised within the limits and confines of the law,” emphasized Ms. Gundersen.
She urged journalists to uphold ethical reporting standards to maintain the role of the press as a vital pillar in safeguarding the country’s democracy.
By Margaret Mwanza
