Clearing Up the Confusion




...  UN and GRZ Dismiss false media claims that the Human Rights Council Sanctions Zambia

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia - (13-01-2025) - The United Nations in Zambia and the Zambian government have both rejected a false claim published in the Daily Nation on January 13, 2025, which suggested that Zambia had been blacklisted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over alleged human rights violations.

Mark Maseko, the National Information Officer for the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lusaka, responded to the allegations, stating that Zambia’s absence from the UNHRC membership list for the terms 2023-2025 and 2024-2026 does not indicate any form of blacklisting.

"Zambia has not sought election for these terms, and its exclusion from the list does not mean it has been blacklisted," Maseko clarified.

He explained that membership to the UNHRC is determined through elections in which countries present their candidacies and are elected by a majority vote of the UN General Assembly.

The Zambian government also addressed the issue, with Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that Zambia is not currently a member of the UNHRC and, as such, cannot be suspended or removed.



"Zambia is not holding a seat on the Council," Gundersen stated. "No resolution for Zambia’s suspension or removal has been considered or adopted by the UN General Assembly."

Gundersen also reminded the public that Zambia served on the UNHRC from 2006 to 2008 and intends to seek membership again in the 2026 UNGA elections.

She said Zambia plans to run for a seat in the African States region under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) quota, aiming for a three-year term starting January 1, 2027.

The government reiterated its commitment to human rights, both domestically and internationally. 

Gundersen highlighted Zambia’s cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, including the planned visit of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression to Zambia on January 19, 2025, at the government’s invitation.

Additionally, the government urged journalists to exercise caution and adhere to ethical standards in their reporting. 



"The media plays a key role in supporting democracy, but it must be based on factual information," Gundersen remarked, reminding the public that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it should be exercised responsibly.

Both the United Nations and the Zambian government reaffirmed their commitment to upholding human rights and transparency, with Zambia preparing to run for a seat on the UNHRC in 2026.



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