UN QUIZES HH OVER ABUSES
…cites harassment, arrest of journalists for their work
By George Zulu
THE United Nations (UN) has officially written to President Hakainde Hichilema, demanding answers over the deterioration of human rights and freedom of the press in Zambia.
Two UN special rapporteurs and a working group on various categories of human rights have jointly demanded an explanation from Hichilema and his government on the steps they have taken in responding to a preliminary report the global body released shortly after a visit to the country by one of its experts in January.
The UN’s concerns and demand for answers are contained in a long letter dated July 14, 2025 addressed to Hichilema and seen by The Mast.
The Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers specifically highlight abuses against journalists under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
“…we would like to bring to the attention of Your Excellency’s government information we have received concerning the detention and criminal charges brought against investigative journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo. These actions appear to be directly related to his legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression, particularly in the context of his professional activities as an investigative journalist and blogger, including his work with the online publication outlet the Zambian Whistleblower,” says the UN expert.
The special rapporteurs and the working group have cited numerous reports of human rights abuses, raising concerns about judicial harassment of journalists in Zambia.
“We are writing this letter as a follow-up to the visit to Zambia from 20 to 31 January 2025 of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, during which the mandate received numerous reports raising concerns about the judicial harassment of journalists. We are following up specifically on the case of Mr Zgambo, which we consider emblematic of broader issues, and we are doing so through the communication procedure to seek explanations and clarification regarding Zambia’s commitment to the protection of journalists and the safeguarding of media freedom,” the letter states.
The UN experts say the accuracy of the information is concerning to the governance of the country and freedom of the press.
“… express my deep concern regarding the arrest, detention and legal proceedings initiated against Mr Zgambo. These actions appear to be directly linked to his journalistic work and the exercise of his right to freedom of expression. We are deeply concerned about the apparent weaponisation of criminal law, including the use of vague or overly broad provisions such as those related to sedition, to suppress dissent and silence critical voices,” the letter reads.
“The use of such legal instruments against journalists undermines press freedom and democratic and civic space and is incompatible with Zambia’s obligations under international human rights law. We therefore call for the charges against Mr Zgambo in relation to his activities as a blogger and investigative journalist to be dropped.”
The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the broader implications of this case for media freedom and freedom of expression in Zambia.
The letter says the targeting of Zgambo and others in similar circumstances risks creating a chilling effect on journalists, media workers, bloggers and human rights defenders.
“Such actions may deter individuals from expressing themselves freely, engaging in peaceful protest, or participating in public and political life. We wish to emphasise the importance of specific protections for journalists, in line with international human rights standards, including legal defences for public interest disclosures.”
The letter reveals that since 2013, Zgambo has been arrested many times because of his work as a journalist.
It explains his first encounter with the Zambian justice system happened when he was charged with sedition, a crime that carries seven years imprisonment.
This was after documents relating to the then president Michael Sata were found in Zgambo’s home.
The letter highlights other forms of harassment, ranging from tapping phone calls to the diversion of phone calls by Airtel Networks.
The letter also says since the UPND formed government in 2021, Zgambo has been arrested many times for his critical reporting.
On October 17, 2023, the Zambian Whistleblower published an article alleging that the Zambia National Service (ZNS), a branch of the Defence Force, was importing genetically modified maize from South Africa without informing the public of its potential risks. The revelation led to the detention of Zgambo.
“On 28 November 2023, Zgambo was arrested in connection with this report and again charged with seditious practices. This court case is still pending, and Mr Zgambo is facing trial. To date, two military generals have already testified in the case, and the State has indicated it has five more witnesses,” the letter states.
The UN special rapporteurs say Zgambo was arrested again on August 6 last year, following a July 28, 2024, commentary he published on the Zambian Whistleblower Facebook page.
“In the post, he called on government to disclose any connections between a leased property and President Hakainde Hichilema. Notably, Mr Zgambo’s August 2024 arrest occurred just hours after the government, through a speech delivered by the information minister, publicly reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to upholding press freedom,” the UN letter reads.
The global body has reminded government that Zgambo was arrested after he was accused of publishing seditious material, the content that could incite public disaffection or advocate for the overthrow of the government.
“He was detained until 8 August, 2024, during which time he alleges the police attempted to coerce him into revealing his sources. This trial commenced on 1 July, 2025,” the letter reads.
It says the third and longest arrest for Zgambo was on October 16 last year when he was picked up from Lewanika Shopping Mall in Lusaka and detained for 16 days on charges of criminal defamation against the acting auditor general, national security advisor to Hichilema and a United Capital Fertiliser board chairperson.
“This arrest is related to a 2022 article from a whistleblower published on the Zambian Whistleblower alleging corruption in fertiliser procurement by the Zambian government under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). In 2022, Mr Zgambo was summoned to Police Headquarters to disclose the name of the source, but he declined,” the UN letter says.
The two UN special rapporteurs and the working group state in their letter that they are deeply concerned about the worsening violation of human rights related to self expression, freedom to hold an opinion and freedom of the press under the UPND regime and have demanded to know what measures the Zambian government is taking to respond to the red flag.
