Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Human Rights Commission has advised against the declaration of a state of emergency.
President Edgar Lungu has hinted at suspending human rights following a spate of fires that have rocked the country with the latest being at City Market in Lusaka yesterday.
But Commission Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga has told Q-news that declaring a state of emergency will curtail and infringe on people’s rights.
Mr Mwandenga says declaring a state of emergency is not the way to go under the circumstances as people’s human rights may be violated.
He however states that the Commission is waiting for a statement from government regarding the matter before it could give its comprehensive position.
Meanwhile, Political analyst Alex Ng’oma has told Q-news that the declaration of a state of emergency should be a measure of last resort.
Dr Ng’omba has advised President Edgar Lungu to instead put pressure on the intelligence gathering system for them to be more alert.
He notes that Police officers in the country are mostly seen conducting traffic duties other than patrolling communities where the architects of sabotage may be.
A state of emergency is a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures in order to regain control.