UN Rapporteur IRENE KHAN visits Zambia

By Sharon Siame

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, MULAMBO HAIMBE says President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’s administration has taken deliberate efforts to ensure that the country is governed by the rule of law.

Mr. HAIMBE says one of the steps that Government has taken to promote Freedom of opinion and expression is to repeal the criminal Defamation of the President, as it stood in the way of the exercise of citizens’ freedoms.

And Mr. HAIMBE says the visit by UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression IRENE KHAN, will allow Government to have an independent view in respect of human rights protection.

He said this in Lusaka today during a meeting with Ms. KHAN.

Ms. KHAN is on a 10-day mission to Zambia at the invitation of Government and will hold meetings with various stakeholders regarding protection of human rights in the country.

Mr HAIMBE said the visit is important and assured Ms. KHAN of access to all the key stakeholders without hindrance.

And Ms. KHAN said that she is in the Country to discuss with Government on a number of issues which include recent legislative developments and how to strengthen Government’s commitment to Human Rights.

She said she will present the findings to Government on the last day of her visit to Zambia.

Ms. KHAN said she is open to get suggestions from the Zambian Government on how it can improve the Human Rights in the country and the challenges that it faces.