The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has strongly condemned a violent incident that erupted at the Patriotic Front (PF) secretariat in Lusaka on 15 November 2025. In a statement issued today, HRC Chairperson Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo urged the Zambia Police Service to conduct a thorough, prompt and impartial investigation and to bring those responsible to justice.
Dr. Sambo said the Commission “calls for a diligent and unbiased investigation into the matter, without fear or favour, to send an unequivocal message that lawlessness and acts of violence will not be tolerated.” She added that violence in public spaces undermines the enjoyment of fundamental rights, including the rights to peaceful assembly, liberty and personal security.
The HRC warned that such incidents could lead to lapses in effective law enforcement and must be addressed urgently. It therefore called on the police to adopt proactive and preventive measures to deter violence and safeguard human rights, particularly the right to peaceful assembly.
The Commission also urged the police to create a more facilitative environment for political parties to exercise their rights to assembly and freedom of expression.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia bears the primary responsibility to maintain law and order, which is essential for a conducive governance environment where all individuals can freely enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms,” Dr. Sambo said.
The Commission expressed concern that, without decisive steps to prevent and punish emerging incidents of political violence, the situation could deteriorate ahead of the 2026 general elections. It appealed to all political parties, their members and supporters to refrain from violence and to resolve differences through peaceful and constructive dialogue.
The HRC will monitor the investigation’s progress and continues to advocate for the protection of human rights across Zambia.
