/ / ZAMBIA: OPPOSITION MEMBER SHOT AND KILLED

ZAMBIA: OPPOSITION MEMBER SHOT AND KILLED

UA: 81.26

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On August 14, Mutotwe Kafwaya – a former cabinet minister and member of opposition party, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance – was reportedly shot and killed during a state run security operation in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. The authorities only confirmed his death five days later, on August 19, after his family had been left without official information about his fate and whereabouts.

The Zambian authorities must conduct a prompt, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trial fair trials.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: February 25, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Zambian authorities
Send an email to the Zambian authorities
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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 February 25, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear President Hakainde Hichilema,

I am concerned about the reported shooting and killing of former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya on August 14 during a state security operation in Kabulonga, in Zambia’s capital of Lusaka.

On August 14, state run security forces carried out a raid on a property linked to Brian Mundubile, presidential candidate and leader of the main opposition party, National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). During the operation, four individuals – all NRPUP members – were arrested. Mutotwe Kafwaya, member of Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, which is backing NRPUP – was seen being shot twice by state security forces. His fate and whereabouts were unknown until the authorities announced his death on August 19, five days later. The authorities allege that the raid and its arrests relate to an insurrection investigation, but it seems to instead form part of a politically motivated crackdown initiated by the authorities to crackdown on the opposition and peaceful dissent.

Mutotwe Kafwaya’s family had been left without official information about his fate and whereabouts. International human rights law requires states to respect, protect, and ensure the right to life and account for deaths resulting from the use of excessive force by state security agents.

I urge you to ensure the conduct of an effective investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya, including the circumstances in which lethal force was used and whether that use of force complied with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality under international human rights law. I also urge you to ensure that the findings of the investigation are made public, and anyone suspected of responsibility for the shooting are brought to justice in fair trials. I urge you to ensure access for the victim and his family to justice and effective remedies.

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:

President Hakainde Hichilema

State House

Independence Avenue P.O. Box, 30135

Lusaka, 10101,

Zambia

[email protected]

and

CC: Zambian Embassy in the United States

Ambassador Dr. Chibamba Kanyama

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

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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