Statement by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) on Mufumbwe violence

MUFUMBWE BY ELECTIONS VIOLENCE - PRESS STATEMENT

Issued by: Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA)

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)

As Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), we would like to register our regret, alarm and concern over the recent political violence in Mufumbwe which we condemn in the strongest terms.

The violence that was characterized at the By Elections in Mufumbwe should not be tolerated by anyone in a democratic country like ours.

We also want to condemn the deaths of the two innocent children who were run over during the same period.

The existing political environment has become unsafe especially for vulnerable groups like women and children.

We are concerned that if the violence exhibited in Mufumbwe continues, we believe it will act as a deterrent to women’s participation to enter politics as candidates, vote and will perpetuate the low numbers in decision making and gender equality.

We also note with disgust the growing culture of insults by leaders who are supposed to be looked up to by society.

This has shown us that the political arena is void of conflict management strategies leaving the political players to engage in violence together with their supporters who reportedly perpetuated the violence.

Unfortunately, this is happening at a time when we are concerned about the escalating levels of violence against women and children in our nation.

The violence was a violation of human rights especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children who were denied their rights to fully express themselves and choose their leaders due to fear of violence.

May we say also that the violence is a breach of our own Electoral Code of Conduct and the SADC Electoral Standards which this country is supposed to adhere to.

The most disappointing aspect is that the Zambia Police could not contain what was going on in Mufumbwe, together with the reports of supporters being ferried to Mufumbwe from other Districts to go and perpetuate violence.

We are therefore calling upon all political players to engage in clean and peaceful politics and commit themselves to ending further political violence in the future that we saw.

When all is said and done this By Election was not free and fair due to the violence that characterized it.

Matrine B. Chuulu – Regional Coordinator WLSA

Gladys N. Mutukwa – Regional Coordinator WiLDAF

4th May, 2010