LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (HRNW) — Amnesty International has condemned the cancellation of passports belonging to several prominent Zambian government critics, warning that administrative powers are being used to restrict political dissent and freedom of movement.
Among those affected are 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.
The Zambian authorities reportedly cancelled the passports on September 11, citing national security.
Amnesty International argued that cancelling passports on the basis of political criticism or opposition violates international human-rights standards, particularly the right to freedom of movement protected under Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organization warned that passport cancellation can have serious consequences because it may prevent affected individuals from travelling, accessing services or exercising basic civil protections.
Amnesty further linked the latest measures to what it describes as a wider post-election crackdown involving arrests and detention of opposition members, activists, journalists and human-rights defenders.
According to Amnesty, Zambia’s passport and citizenship laws provide specific grounds for passport cancellation, including loss of citizenship, fraud, certain convictions and other defined circumstances. Political criticism itself is not listed as a ground.
The organization is calling on the Zambian authorities to restore the cancelled passports and provide remedies for any harm caused.
The case has intensified concerns among human-rights advocates about shrinking civic space and the use of administrative measures to restrict critics and political opponents.
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Disclaimer
This article reflects information and legal assessments provided by Amnesty International. HRNW does not independently determine whether the passport cancellations violate domestic law and presents allegations concerning political motivation as attributed claims.
