Zambia

Sikaile Challenges Amnesty International on JJ Banda

Human rights advocate SIKAILE SIKAILE has urged Amnesty International to uphold impartiality...

By Joshua Jere Zambia24 Published 18 October 2026, 19:34 CAT • 2 hours ago 1 min read

By Justine Akakulubelwa

Human rights advocate SIKAILE SIKAILE has urged Amnesty International to uphold impartiality and apply consistent human rights standards across political divide.

Reacting to the organisation’s recent statement on the arrest of EMMANUEL ‘JAY-JAY’ BANDA, Mr. SIKAILE said protecting the rights of accused persons must not overshadow the plight of alleged victims.

He has challenged Amnesty International to undertake a comprehensive review of allegations involving Mr. BANDA, including reported violence against police officers and the alleged assault on journalist PETER SUKWA ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Mr. SIKAILE alleges that Mr. SUKWA was beaten, urinated on and doused with petrol while covering a voter registration exercise in Eastern Province.

Lakatips

He has also urged the organisation to examine broadcasts allegedly linked to Mr. BANDA containing reported calls for the killing of President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA and members of the Tonga ethnic community.

Mr. SIKAILE said the recordings must be authenticated and assessed against legal standards governing threats and incitement to violence.

He maintains that credible human rights advocacy demands independent verification of allegations, protection of victims and equal application of justice across the political divide.

Source: Zambia24 — Read more