GOVERNMENT has expressed disappointment over a press release allegedly by the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) special rapporteurs and was sent to the country’s Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland.

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The press release, however was sent under the tag name “Zimbabwe”, insinuating that it was for that country , but was instead sent to the Zambian Embassy.

Chief Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says in view of the foregoing, Government will lodge a formal complaint to the UNHRC about the manner in which the press release was published.

Recently, a press statement alleged to have been issued by UNHRC special rapporteurs was circulated in which they alleged various human rights violations.

However, speaking during a press briefing Mr Mweetwa said Government further regrets having attributed the report of the allegations to the UNHRC, which has not produced any such report about Zambia.

“Government wishes to express disappointment that the press release was sent to the Zambian Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday 28th August, 2024 after our official working hours at 17:31 hours and was published the following morning, giving the Ambassador no opportunity to clear the statement,” he said.

He noted that Government has learnt that the email, through which the press release was relayed to the Embassy, was also under a wrong subject tag showing that the statement was about Zimbabwe.

The Chief Government spokesperson said this made the Embassy staff fail to recognise the urgency and importance of the email.

Mr Mweetwa said further, the email did not ask for clearance of the press release ,but was only informing the Embassy that a press release was being published the following day.

“For avoidance of doubt, it was expected that the Government of the Republic of Zambia would respond to the Special Rapporteurs allegations within the allotted time, before making the allegations public. This is a standard procedure that has been followed over the years. The allegations have to be responded to and, where necessary, an independent inquiry conducted before a report is produced and submitted to the UNHRC,” he said.

The Zambian Government finds it disturbing that the Special Rapporteurs issued a media statement without following the laid down procedure of giving the affected State an opportunity to clear the statement before being released.

(Mwebantu, Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024)