– Government refutes claims of abductions in Western province

Government refutes claims of abductions in Western province

Mongu, February 13, ZANIS —- Government has denied allegations that security wings in the province are violating the human rights of citizens.

Western Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba said this following the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Pastoral letter released by the Catholic Church which pointed at alleged serious human rights violations currently prevailing in Western province.

Mr Mwamba said only 18 people have been arrested in two separate operations that were already made known to the country.

In a press briefing, after a closed door meeting with security wings and the Bishop of the Diocese of Mongu Evans Chinyemba yesterday, the Permanent Secretary noted that government is determined to put to an end the era of suspicion and create a conducive environment that borders on dialogue with the church and the community in the province.

According to a ZEC pastoral letter dated 27^th January 2013 signed by 12 Bishops, it is alleged that there is a climate of intimidation and serious human rights violations currently prevailing in the Western province amounting to abductions of citizens, arbitrary arrests and individuals being subjected to long periods of interrogations and even torture.