Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Transparency International Zambia has strongly condemned the heavy handedness of the Zambia police who battered students at the University of Zambia Great East road campus during the riot on Tuesday night.
TIZ is particularly appalled by the brutality and use of excessive force being applied to control the rampaging students by Police.
TIZ President Lee Habasonda in a statement says the aftermath of the UNZA disturbances have left some students badly injured, and that so far those injured have had no access to medical attention.
He says in addition, it is difficult to trace where all the 46 students arrested are being held.
Mr Habasonda says this is an affront not only to academic freedom but also a violation of the right to life.
He states that even where students have caused breach of peace, their relatives and the university authorities must be aware of where they are kept and the conditions under which they are being kept.
Mr Habasonda adds that Zambia is an open society and lack of transparency in the manner police are handling the issue of the wrongly arrested students is reflecting badly on the government.
He says the students arrested are mostly female and first year students who may not have been involved in the rampage, adding that a few post graduate students were also arrested including non-students.
Mr Habasonda has called on Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila to immediately address the question of UNZA students who are in solitary confinement.
He says Mr.Mwila should use his authority to ensure that the students are given police bond and released immediately, and also ensure that injured students are given access to medical treatment without further delay.
Mr Habasonda has also urged Higher Education Minister Michael Kaingu to employ a less confrontational posture towards addressing problems affecting higher institutions of learning in Zambia.
He notes that the Minister’s current stance will only further breed tension and animosity in these institutions.