President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern at the prevalence of hate speech being peddled on social media, which he says violates the rights and freedoms of others with impunity.
And President Lungu has reaffirmed government’s commitment to respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the International Bill of Rights and in the Zambia’s constitution.
Speaking during the commemoration of the UN International Human Rights Day in Lusaka today, Mr. Lungu says as the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the existence of the International Bill of Rights; the nation should not be oblivious to the emerging disturbing culture of hate speech and political violence in the nation.
President Lungu has called for self-restraint in the exercising freedom of speech and expression saying this is in order to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of others.
He says there is need to use the conducive legal and political environment for freedom of expression to advance the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
The Head of State has also reiterated his appeal to the Zambia Police Service to apply the Public Order Act in a transparent and fair manner, saying he expects no form of discrimination in the protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms.
He has further appealed to all political party leaders, supporters and sympathizers, to strictly adhere to the requirements of the Public Order Act in order to maintain law and order in the country.
Speaking at the same event, Human Rights Commission Director, Florence Chibwesha says though Zambia has recorded positive strides in the promotion of human rights, more needs to be done.
Ms Chibwesha says the commission will continue advocating for the criminalization of torture in the country because of its negativity on human beings.
Speaking earlier, United Nations Governance Advisor Michael Soko reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to continue protecting human rights of all people despite their political standing, race or religion.
And Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President George Chisanga says his association is committed to promoting human rights in the country as highlighted in its Strategic Plan launched in 2013.
This year’s International UN Human Rights Day is being commemorated under the theme “Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always”.
Social Media Hate Speech Worries Lungu added by on
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Hate speech…the only way certain people can ‘win’ anything!
ECL=Probably thats the only way people can express themselves with your clamping down on the opposition
NEZ and Hildah Malama the masters of hate speeches should comment on this issue.
Tiyeee!!! U failed to work on the problems that we are facing as a nation now chakutwa ku media??? Yes its the only way pipo express their disappointment of ur incompetence mr lungu!!
Ok it’s bad especially on tumfweko,ifibena mj, mccm, ndanje, Vampiro, kayula, zhynyonono, ndekete and kakolwe.
I was almost celebrating your leaving me out!!
I hatespeech you!!!
Seriously @Haters. The only hate I have shown hereon is every form of stupidity by anyone from any corner or party.
Hello Haters, your name says it all. When we try to pump sense in the Bantu Botatwe it doesn’t mean we hate them. We love you as human beings but we hate your natural foolishness and stupidity.
Lungu why do you complain about hate speech on social media?Stop using your Public Order Act on HH.
mr presido, remember this who said i ll fal on you like a tone bricks?, who said in kabwe us we main if i want i can command my cadre to wipe all upnd cadres? pls spare us we hav more pressing issues to atted to, more popcoons pls!.
Majority zambians wants to continue withpf not those lies you are trading. Whenever I meat people it’s always 1 out of 10 who wants change and that one is Tonga. So this explains why even next year upnd is losing again.
I am not a tonga but I still want change.. Pf has lost credibility..lets just face facts and not follow blindly.
That’s your business as for me and my family Lungu will be our president beyond 2016.
Yes we shall continue untill Tongas start seeing Bembas as brothers and sisters. imagine Tongas in Mazabuka saying if HH wins Bembas will carry their houses on their heads.
It is right for all Tongas to vote HH but extremly wrong gor other trimes to vote candidates of their choice.
when a man is not wanted he is accused of raising dust even when he jumps into the pool of water. lungu has inherited problems created by his predecessor. That makes him more unpopular. In fact they hated him before he became president.he fired Chitundu who was on top of his game and replaced him with a riffraff mundende who cant even explain why we have trip outs every day. what is he doing to avoid a recurrence.
Lungu and human rights i was not expecting this from you Lungu you should keep ur stinking chinwa up and you saying only Tonga’s want change what tribe are you if ur tribe is not in Zambia then its wise you neednt change were you come from its ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION ONE UPND ONE PRESIDENT. Am pure BEMBA LUAPULA mwana we need change
CHAAKOLWA LUNGU INSONI FE EBUNTU ITS 1% will wont make it n 2016
PF WILL WIN 2016 ELECTIONS, you always have false hopes and it doesn’t work out for you perpetual losers and your freemason.
President Lungu should not have complained of hate speech on the social media because he controls the public media. Let the opposition express their feelings on the social media as well.In Nyanja they say “chiwamila galu kuluma mbuzi,osati mbuzi kuluma galu”. In Bemba we say,”kano nibo”. This means that unless its him doing that to his political rivals. You only reap what you planted. As we approach 2016, the language gets stronger because its an election year.Vote for the Heritage Party and all its candidates.
Stupidity and foolishness is the your nature and that of your tribesmen and ancestors, and think hate speeches can go to rest with that kind of comments.
HH IS A FULL, A DOG.