For the Right of Information and Real Democracy in Zambia
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MOVIMENTO DOS TRABALHADORES RURAIS SEM TERRA – MST Secretaria Nacional Alameda Barão de Limeira, nº 1232, Campos Elíseos, 01202-002, São Paulo, SP Fone/Fax: 11 2131-0850 – Correio Eletrônico: [email protected] Página na Internet: www.mst.org.br _______________________________________________________________ ___ His excellence Edgar Chagwa Lungu The President of the Republic of Zambia For the right of information and real democracy in Zambia On the 21st June, 2016, the Zambia Revenue Authority, in the company of armed police and under instructions from the President of the country, closed down “The Post Newspaper” in Lusaka, in a very undemocratic and oppressive attitude. The Revenue Tribunal demanded that The Post reopens, but the government defied the order. In instead, on 27th June, the police arrested the director of The Post, Fred M’Membe, his wife Mutinta Mazoka, and the News Editor Joseph Mwenda. They were severely beaten and are now incarcerated at Lusaka Central Police. The closure of The Post, as well as the arrest of its Director and Editor, represents a total lack of democracy and freedom of speech and of the media in Zambia. It also represents an attack on the right of the Zambian population to access information. Without The Post Newspaper, the country is now without a critical mouthpiece during the on-going general and presidential elections’ campaign. The 11th August 2016 is the voting day, and the Government of Zambia has taken away the only platform Zambians have continually used to expose corruption and other malpractices during elections times. Therefore demand: - That the Government of Zambia respects the decision of the
description
The Landless Workers' Movement (MST) of Brazil demands that the Government of Zambia respect the decision of the Revenue Tribunal and immediately reopen the 'Post Newspaper'; stop the political persecution of journalists and activists; respect the freedom of speech and press, without which there will be no true democracy.
Transcript of For the Right of Information and Real Democracy in Zambia
MOVIMENTO DOS TRABALHADORES RURAIS SEM TERRA – MST
Secretaria NacionalAlameda Barão de Limeira, nº 1232, Campos Elíseos, 01202-002, São Paulo, SP
Fone/Fax: 11 2131-0850 – Correio Eletrônico: [email protected]ágina na Internet: www.mst.org.br
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His excellence Edgar Chagwa LunguThe President of the Republic of Zambia
For the right of information and real democracy in Zambia
On the 21st June, 2016, the Zambia Revenue Authority, in the company of armed police and under instructions from the President of the country, closed down “The Post Newspaper” in Lusaka, in a very undemocratic and oppressive attitude.
The Revenue Tribunal demanded that The Post reopens, but the government defied the order. In instead, on 27th June, the police arrested the director of The Post, Fred M’Membe, his wife Mutinta Mazoka, and the News Editor Joseph Mwenda. They were severely beaten and are now incarcerated at Lusaka Central Police.
The closure of The Post, as well as the arrest of its Director and Editor, represents a total lack of democracy and freedom of speech and of the media in Zambia. It also represents an attack on the right of the Zambian population to access information.
Without The Post Newspaper, the country is now without a critical mouthpiece during the on-going general and presidential elections’ campaign. The 11th August 2016 is the voting day, and the Government of Zambia has taken away the only platform Zambians have continually used to expose corruption and other malpractices during elections times.
Therefore demand:
- That the Government of Zambia respects the decision of the Revenue Tribunal and immediately reopens “The Post Newspaper”
- To stop the political persecution of journalists and activists in the country- For the government to respect the freedom of speech and press, without which there will be
no true democracy.
Landless Workers Movement – MST - Brazil
