Police used excessive force on UNZA students

The Human Rights Commission has condemned the excessive use of force by Police on protesting students at the University of Zambia campus last week and the continued acts of malicious damage on private citizens by the Students during protests.

Commission Director Florence Chibwesha in a statement made available to QFM News says a Preliminary report of the investigations carried out by the Commission has revealed that the Police did use excessive force on the students.

Ms Chibwesha says it is regrettable that the police threw teargas canisters into the University clinic which is a health facility and had patients being attended to at the time of the protest with an allegation of one patient being taken into police custody.

She says the Commission condemns these acts by the police in the strongest terms.

Ms Chibwesha states that acts of violence by the Police reinforce mistrust between the police and the general public.

She says Law Enforcement Officers are there to keep law and order and this should not de-generate into violence, but calls for assertive policing as opposed to police brutality.

The Human Rights Commission Director says the Commission appeals to the Zambia Police Service to adopt assertive policing methods and better management skills of handling public protests as opposed to the use of excessive force.

She adds that it is important for Zambia Police to continue equipping their officers with appropriate and high quality skills of managing public protests.

Ms Chibwesha says the Commission is hopeful that the Police Command will investigate the alleged police brutality with the necessary speed and ensure action is taken against those that will be found wanting.

And Ms Chibwesha says acts of violence by University students on members of the public cannot be condoned.

She states that it is unacceptable that Students believe that they are justified in causing malicious damage to property of private citizens as a way of resolving their grievances.
She says such conduct must be condemned by all.