Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Justice Irene Mambilima has bemoaned the continued abuse of citizens’ rights to liberty by various stakeholders in the country’s criminal justice system.
Justice Mambilima has observed that this is due to the complexity of the system which she says tends to breakdown at any of its stage in some instances.
She says such a breakdown in the system is what leads to human rights violations and abuses that include among others arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, prolonged detentions and unfair trials.
Justice Mambilima notes that the effects of such pre-trial detentions are numerous and lead to all sorts of challenges to the State, the accused persons, their families and the community at large.
She says in order for the criminal justice system to be above reproach, all stakeholders in the system ought to demonstrate profound respect for human rights generally.
Justice Mambilima has urged the Zambia Police, the Prisons and Correctional Services, Prosecution Authority, the Courts and the legal fraternity to particularly respect the right to liberty in the confines of the law.
The Chief Justice said this in a speech read for her by president of the Court of Appeal Fulgency Chisanga during a one day Human Rights Commission (HRC) Bail and Bond reforms workshop in Lusaka today.
Speaking at the same event, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja directed all Police officers in charge of Police stations and posts to desist from prolonged detentions.
Mr. Kanganja states that all cases must be processed quickly for appearance in Court and where possible release on Police bond.