Sittings · Document

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2876(RSP)) 2026-09-14

On post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Evin Incir

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 18 Sept 2026

Parliament's resolution condemns the violent crackdown and police abuses around Zambia's 13 August general elections, in which President Hichilema was declared winner with 60.7 percent. It urges Zambia to end arbitrary arrests and detention of opposition members, supporters and civil society, to guarantee detainees' rights, and to investigate the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya and other abuses. It calls for freedom of expression, press, assembly and association, and for the EU and its member states to raise the situation with Zambia and support civil society and journalists.

Key points

  1. Parliament strongly condemns the violent crackdowns and police abuses surrounding Zambia's recent elections.
  2. It urges Zambian authorities to immediately end threats and arbitrary arrest and detention of opposition members, supporters and civil society actors.
  3. It asks that detainees be told the reasons for their arrest and the charges, have immediate access to lawyers, families and medical care, and be brought before independent and impartial courts.
  4. It urges prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into all allegations of unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrest and intimidation.
  5. It calls in particular for an investigation into the circumstances of the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya, with public findings and accountability for those responsible.
  6. It calls on Zambian authorities to uphold freedom of expression, press, media, peaceful assembly and association.
  7. It asks that journalists, opposition members and civil society be able to exercise their human rights safely, and that national security laws and criminal justice not be misused against them.
  8. It urges the restoration of dissidents' and political opponents' passports.
  9. It calls on the EU and its member states to raise the post-electoral human rights situation with Zambian authorities at the highest political level and closely monitor relevant judicial proceedings.
  10. It calls on the EU and its member states to support civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists, including through follow-up to the EU Election Observation Mission's recommendations.

Who is affected

  • Zambian authorities, who are urged to end arbitrary detention, protect freedoms and investigate abuses.
  • Opposition members, supporters and civil society actors in Zambia, who face arrest, detention and intimidation.
  • Journalists and media institutions in Zambia, who face threats including arrest and police summons.
  • The EU and its member states, asked to raise the situation with Zambia and support civil society and journalists.

Figures and deadlines

  • 60.7 percent — the share of the vote with which President Hichilema was declared winner.
  • 13 August — date of Zambia's general elections.
  • 14 August — date of the raid in Kabulonga, Lusaka, and the reported fatal shooting of Mutotwe Kafwaya.
  • 24 August — date Zambian authorities sealed off court premises and suspended judicial services.
  • at least 84 people — remain in custody without formal charges, according to the Zambian Human Rights Commission.

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