A governance expert has called on the government to urgently ensure that the cancelled Human Rights Conference is held, stressing its importance in addressing key human rights concerns in the country.
Speaking in an interview with One Love Radio, Wesley Miyanda said the conference is crucial as it provides a platform to discuss the various human rights challenges being faced nationwide.
“Going forward, we really need that conference to take place, as a governance expert and Human rights advocate, I think I have to advocate that the summit is still very important and if anything, let government find a way of allowing it to take place here in Zambia,” he said.
Mr. Miyanda further noted that the conference is particularly important as the country heads towards the 2026 general elections, as it would provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to citizens’ rights and freedoms ahead of the polls.
“[The conference] deals with people’s rights, people’s freedoms in Zambia, and especially that we are going towards elections, these are the issues that need to be addressed so that at the end of the day, no one should claim that government has been unfair on their part,”he said.
He added that having the conference would also help restore the country’s image, which he says has been negatively affected following its cancellation.
“We have already made a bad name for the country, which we need to clean up, how do we clean up, Lets ensure we host that summit,” the advocate said.
He said holding the conference would also help promote transparency and reduce perceptions of unfair treatment or rights violations by government.
By Fortune Sianezuna
Lusaka
