EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 63/03/93

Distr: UA/SC

23 March 1993

Further information on UA 64/93 (AFR 63/01/93, 9 March 1993) and follow-up AFR 63/02/93, 19 March 1993 - Legal concern.

ZAMBIA:

Bweendo Mulengela William Banda

Bonnie Tembo Rupiya Banda

Peter Lishika Sianda Ilukena

Christopher Muyoka Cuthbert Nguni

Wezi Kaunda Henry Kamima

Steven Moyo McPherson Mbulo

Rabson Chongo Wilfred Wanani - released

Stan Mutanga Panji Kaunda - released

Panji Kaunda, eldest son of Zambia's former President Kenneth Kaunda, who was arrested on 14 March 1993 and held in police custody in Chipata, and Wilfred Wanani, Chairman for Local Government and Housing in the opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP), who was arrested on 18 March 1993, have both been released. They were detained under the Preservation of Public Security Regulations which came in force after a State of Emergency was declared on 4 March 1993. The regulations allow indefinite detention without charge or trial.

The 14 other men named above, who were detained on 5 and 7 March 1993, have finally been officially informed of the reasons for their arrest. The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) government, led by President Frederick Chiluba, alleges that they authored a document entitled The Zero Option, which outlines a strategy to make the country ungovernable through a campaign of civil disobedience; that they conspired to carry out its contents; and that they disseminated the document between 1 January and 5 March 1993. The government does not appear to have enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the detainees.

The Minister of Legal Affairs has indicated that allegations of ill-treatment will be investigated (see follow-up AFR 63/02/93, 19 March 1993).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The government led by President Frederick Chiluba claims to have discovered

a UNIP plot to make the country ungovernable through an orchestrated

campaign of civil disobedience. The evidence so far made public is a

document entitled The Zero Option which was discovered in UNIP headquarters

in Lusaka. The UNIP leadership has denied that the document was party

policy. The authorities claim to have subsequently uncovered a second

document which gives details of a coup plot.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes and airmail letters in English or your own language:

- expressing concern at the continuing detention without charge or trial of the 14 United National Independence Party (UNIP) members named above (please select two or three names from the list as examples) who Amnesty International believes may be prisoners of conscience detained for their non-violent opposition to the government;

- welcoming the release of Panji Kaunda and Wilfred Wanani but urging that

Page 2 of FU 64/93

all the other detainees be released if they are not to be charged with a recognisably criminal offence and brought promptly to a fair trial;

- expressing Amnesty International's opposition to administrative detention

procedures which provide for indefinite detention without charge or trial;

- expressing concern at allegations that Cuthbert Nguni and Henry Kamima (see follow-up AFR 63/02/93, 19 March 1993) have been physically ill-treated;

- welcoming the announcement by the Minister for Legal Affairs that allegations of ill-treatment would be investigated but urging that these investigations be independent and impartial and that the government makes public their findings.

APPEALS TO

1) His Excellency Frederick Chiluba President of the Republic of Zambia

Office of the President

State House

PO Box 30208

Lusaka, Zambia

Telegrams: President Chiluba, Lusaka, Zambia

Telexes: 41998 or 41460

Salutation: Your Excellency

2) The Hon. Newstead Zimba

Minister of Home Affairs

Ministry of Home Affairs

PO Box 32862

Lusaka, Zambia

Telegrams: Hon. Newstead Zimba, Minister of Home Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia

Telexes: 40344

Salutation: Dear Minister

3) The Hon. Vernon Mwaanga

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Charter House

PO Box 50069

Lusaka, Zambia

Telegrams: Hon. Vernon Mwaanga, Minsiter of Foreign Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia

Telexes: 41290

Salutation: Dear Minister

4) The Hon. Dr Roger Chongwe

Minister of Legal Affairs

Ministry of Legal Affairs

PO Box 50106

Fairley Rd

Lusaka, Zambia

Telegrams: Hon. Dr Roger Chongwe, Minister of Legal Affairs, Lusaka, Zambia

Telexes: 40564

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO the following newspapers:

The Editor The Editor

Weekly Post The Times of Zambia

Private Bag EF 352 PO Box 30394

Lusaka, Zambia Lusaka, Zambia

and to diplomatic representatives of Zambia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,

or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 May 1993.