Human Rights Commission applauds Sata

0
President Micheal Sata in Army Uniform
President Micheal Sata in Army Uniform
The Human Rights Commission has applauded President Michael Sata for pardoning 365 prisoners on Africa Freedom Day.

 

Commission Director Florence Chibwesha says the release of the prisoners will greatly help in decongesting the prisons which are overcrowded and need urgent measures to be put in place to improve the situation and allow a more humane environment to unfold in tandem with the minimum standards for the treatment of persons kept in detention.

Ms Chibwesha in a statement issued to QFM News says overcrowding in prisons has been a long standing problem which the Commission has always highlighted and is delighted to see the Head of State consider more releases of prisoners as an immediate measure to decongest prisons.

She notes that since the Patriotic Front (PF) Government came to power, the country has witnessed unprecedented release of many prisoners on presidential amnesty which need to be applauded and supported by all Zambians.

Ms Chibwesha says in the same vein, the Commission acknowledges the efforts that are being made in the area of prison infrastructure development to address congestion in prisons.

She states that the Commission believes that this is demonstrative of the government’s commitment to improving prison conditions which are a major concern to the Commission.

She says the in line with its mandate, the Commission will continue to monitor conditions in places of detention and provide advice to government until there is an improvement according to international standards.

Ms Chibwesha has since appealed to the inmates who have been released on presidential amnesty to prove themselves worthy of President Sata’s positive gesture by starting a new life as law abiding citizens and focusing their energies on activities that will contribute positively to the development of the country.

 

QFM

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY