Nov 11, 2015

Barotseland: Petitions Call on UN to Release Political Prisoners


Two Barotse social groups have independently launched petitions calling for the release of all Barotseland political prisoners held in Zambia. Both petitions call upon United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to take action. The prisoners include Mr Afumba Mombotwa, Mr Sylvester Kalima Inambao, Mr Likando Pelekelo and Mr Masiye Masiyalet, whose situation UNPO has been following.

Barotseland National Youth League’s petition can be found here

Linyungandambo National Women’s League’s petition can be found here

 

Below is an article published by Barotseland Post:

The Barotseland National Youth League (BNYL) and the Linyungandambo National Women’s League have, in separate petitions, called on the United Nations (UN) secretary General Ban Ki Moon to prevail over Zambia, a member of the UN, for the release of all Barotseland political prisoners currently incarcerated in Zambian prisons and undergoing lengthy open-ended trials on various trumped up treason charges.

Four Barotseland independence leaders, including Barotseland Administrator General, Rt. Hon Afumba Mombotwa, have been incarcerated in Zambian prisons since December 5th 2014, while their treason trial is due to resume on Tuesday the 10th of November 2015. If convicted under Zambian laws, the treason charge carries a death sentence.

Others on trial are Mr. Kaingu of Livingstone who is facing the charge of possession of ‘seditious’ materials after a night Zambia police search allegedly found him with Barotse literature downloaded from the internet.

Meanwhile six Barotse Imilema (BI) youths were this week convicted of causing a breach of peace in a Kaoma court for having carried out a peaceful sensitization procession in Mongu that sought to educate the people concerning the Zambia police foiled BNFA organized peaceful public gathering that was scheduled for the 2nd of October 2015. However, five of their counterparts were also arrested earlier this week for organizing a peaceful fundraising procession that was aimed at raising money to enable their fellow BI youths travel to Kaoma for their appointed court hearing. The five have been charged with ‘moving around’ with seditious materials for carrying a UNPO flag which has since been confiscated from them.