Withdrawal of National IDs, plot to silence Mwamba, Mpundu, others

Chikwanda said the cancellations targeted individuals known for their criticism of government and for their roles in public and political life.

He said 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.

Chikwanda said the decision came at a time when Zambia was experiencing heightened political tension following the general elections.

“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,” he noted.

Chikwanda argued that the impact of the cancellations extended beyond travel restrictions to fundamental identity and legal status.

“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,” he said.

Chikwanda said Amnesty International had documented what it described as a rapid deterioration in human rights in Zambia in the run-up to, during and after the elections.

He cited arbitrary arrests, detention, and attacks targeting human rights defenders, activists, journalists and opposition political party members.

“It undermines their dignity and basic civil protections,” Chikwanda added, referring to the effect of the passport cancellations on the six individuals.

In its background, Chikwanda noted that the killing of former Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation marked a further escalation of the crackdown.

“Amnesty International calls on the Zambian authorities to revoke these passport cancellations, restore these individuals’ passports and remedy any harm resulting from this unlawful decision,” he stated.

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