/ / ZAMBIA: EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARBITRARILY DETAINED

ZAMBIA: EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARBITRARILY DETAINED

UA: 75.26

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Xavier Chungu is an opposition political leader and was a presidential candidate until his withdrawal on July 12. On May 28, he was arrested following an interview he did in a podcast. He was subsequently charged with seven counts under the State Security Act, three counts of sedition, and one count under the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act. On July 10, he was denied bail after the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a ‘No Bail Certificate’ limiting meaningful judicial oversight and undermining the requirement that pretrial detention must have a legal justification and be necessary and proportionate.

Call on the Zambian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Xavier Chungu as the criminal charges against him are based solely on the peaceful exercise of his human rights, including his rights to freedom of expression.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: January 24, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Zambian authorities
Send an email to the Zambian authorities
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by January 24, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear Mr. Gilbert Phiri,

I am concerned about the arbitrary arrest and detention of the leader of opposition political party, Liberal Democratic Party, and former presidential candidate, Xavier Chungu.

On May 28, Xavier Chungu was arrested on allegations of disclosing classified information after his appearance on a recorded podcast on May 24. On June 1, he was charged with seven counts of Communication of Certain Information under Section 4(1) of the State Security Act. He was also charged with three counts of Seditious Practices under the Penal Code and one count of Prohibition of Publication or Disclosure of Information to an Unauthorized Person. On July 4, the High Court of Zambia granted him bail, but he was re-arrested on the same day. On July 10, Xavier Chungu was denied bail after an issued a ‘No Bail Certificate’, stripping the court of its discretionary power to grant bail. While states may restrict liberty in appropriate circumstances, international human rights law requires that any deprivation of liberty be lawful, strictly necessary, and proportionate to achieving a legitimate aim, and subject to effective judicial review.

I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Xavier Chungu and drop all charges against him as they are based solely on the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. I further urge you to respect, protect, and uphold the right to freedom of expression and to ensure that any restrictions on this right are strictly consistent with international and regional human rights standards.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Mr. Gilbert Phiri

Director of Public Prosecutions

National Prosecution Authority

Plot BLX 29B, Independence Avenue,

Lusaka, Zambia

[email protected]

and

CC: Zambian Embassy in the United States

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

Ambassador Dr. Chibamba Kanyama

2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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