CONFIDENTIAL
ZAMBIA
Report by British High Commission, Lusaka
General Observations
Overall the Zambian record is not bad and, we would guess,
better than most other countries in Africa. Moreover one has to assess Zambia's performance against the political sensitivity of the region and the almost paranoic suspicion of attempts by the white South to sabotage or subvert. Thus there has been a State of Emergency in Zambia since independence in 1964. This gives the President wide powers but in practice these have been used relatively infrequently and with modera- tion. Our view is that freedoms are respected within certain bounds. When these are breached the Authorities react sharply and if necessary arbitrarily.
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
Rating suggested
by Post
Powers of detention without trial are used both on grounds of security and in cases where the Authorities have a strong belief in the accused's guilt but lack adequate evidence. At the moment there are probably not more than forty people so held, but about 100 members of a dis- sident South African trained group were kept for nearly two years before being released. In addition dissident factions of liberation movements have been detained for varying periods; at present up to 500 may still be in custody. One unpleasant practice is to redetain suspects immediately after an acquittal by due process of law.
We have no evidence of the widespread or systematic use of torture. Suspects are frequently roughed up by the Police but this is regarded as a fact of African life. However, those arrested on charges involving security of the state are probably subjected to some physical torture.
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3
(iii)
No-one could be said to be held in servi- tude or slavery in Zambia.
(iv)
Although subject to a degree of government control the Zambian press is relatively outspoken and views critical of the Govern- ment are freely expressed. But the Govern- ment owned broadcasting services do not carry critical views. To criticise the President is an offence but recently Zambians have felt able publicly to
CONFIDENTIAL
/criticise
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