Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Human Rights Commission has called for increased humanitarian protection and assistance towards some foreign nationals who have been internally displaced and have sought refuge in various places such as transit refugee camps and church buildings.
Commission Chief of Information,Education and Training Mweelwa Muleya says preliminary investigations by the Commission have revealed that the situation is desperate and precarious for both the foreign nationals seeking protection from possible attacks and for the citizens who have been arrested in connection with the looting of some shops and homes being operated or owned by foreign nationals.
Mr. Muleya says there is need for the government to facilitate a co-ordinated mechanism for provision of adequate shelter, clothes, access to food, clean and safe drinking water, proper sanitation, personal security and other basic needs to the internally displaced persons.
He adds that there is also need to facilitate medical care to those who may have been injured, and also provide counselling services to those who may have been traumatised during the rioting and looting of properties.
Mr. Muleya says the Commission commends the Police for the quick action in curtailing continued looting and restoring peace and order in the affected residential areas.
He however, states that the Commission is concerned that the findings have revealed that some police cells have become over-congested as a result of the huge number of suspects arrested, thereby posing danger to an outbreak of diseases.
Mr. Muleya says the Commission is therefore urging the Police to quicken up the process of screening the persons that have been detained to ensure that those reasonably suspected to have taken part in looting are charged and taken before the courts of law without undue delay.