Amnesty International has urged the Zambian government to release journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo, highlighting the troubling state of press freedom and human rights in Zambia. Zgambo has been detained without formal charges since October 16, marking his third arrest in a year for exposing government shortcomings. Concerns grow over the increasing enforcements against journalists despite public assurances of upholding democratic principles.
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of Zambian journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo, detained in Lusaka since October 16, on the basis of rising concerns for press freedom and human rights in the country. Zgambo, a contributor to the Zambia Whistleblower website, is being held at Ridgeway Police Station without formal charges. His situation reflects the deteriorating state of free expression in Zambia.
Zambia, under President Hakainde Hichilema, has witnessed unsettling shifts in human rights practices, particularly concerning press freedom. Although his election in 2021 raised hopes for improved civil liberties, recent events suggest a stark contradiction between rhetoric and reality. Notably, Zgambo’s repeated detentions since publishing critical articles underscore systemic repression faced by journalists, revealing a precarious balance between governance policies and actual freedoms.
The ongoing detainment of Thomas Allan Zgambo emphasizes the tension between Zambia’s constitutional aims for press freedom and the harsh realities journalists face. The international community is closely monitoring these developments, and Zambia’s recent promises to uphold human rights are put into question as actions suggest an alternative narrative.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
