Sittings · Document

Adopted text 2026-09-17

Post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya

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

Parliament's resolution condemns the killing of opposition member and former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya and the rise in political repression in Zambia since the 13 August 2026 elections. It urges Zambia to investigate unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrest and intimidation, and to hold those responsible accountable. It calls on Zambia to end arbitrary detention of opposition members and supporters, ensure detainees know the grounds for arrest and charges, have access to lawyers, family and medical care, and face independent courts. It calls on Zambia to uphold freedom of expression, press, media, peaceful assembly and association, and to stop abuses of national security laws. It encourages all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and intimidation, and work for national reconciliation. It asks the EU and its member states to raise these violations at the highest political level, monitor the human rights situation and judicial proceedings, support Zambian civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, and follow up the EU Election Observation Mission's recommendations.

Key points

  1. Parliament condemns the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya and the increase in political repression since the elections.
  2. It urges Zambian authorities to ensure independent and transparent investigations into all allegations of unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrest and intimidation, particularly the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya, and to hold those responsible accountable.
  3. It underlines that security operations should be proportionate and in accordance with the rule of law.
  4. It calls on Zambian authorities to end and refrain from arbitrary arrest, detention and intimidation of opposition members and supporters.
  5. It calls for detainees to be informed of the grounds for their arrest and charges and to have access to legal counsel, family and medical care.
  6. It calls for detainees to be brought before independent and impartial courts without delay and to have their right to a fair trial guaranteed.
  7. It calls on Zambian authorities to uphold freedom of expression, press, media, peaceful assembly and association, and to refrain from abuses of national security laws and criminal justice.
  8. It encourages all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and intimidation, and contribute to national reconciliation.
  9. It recalls the close EU-Zambia partnership and calls for the EU and its member states to raise these violations at the highest political level.
  10. It calls for close monitoring of the human rights situation and judicial proceedings and support for Zambian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists.
  11. It calls for follow-up on the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission in Zambia.

Who is affected

  • Zambian authorities, who are urged to investigate abuses, end arbitrary detention and uphold rights.
  • Opposition members and supporters in Zambia, who face arrest, detention and intimidation.
  • Detainees, including Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, charged with treason and facing 20 years to life imprisonment if convicted.
  • Zambian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists, whom the EU is asked to support.
  • The EU and its member states, asked to raise violations, monitor the situation and follow up election observation recommendations.

Figures and deadlines

  • 13 August 2026: date Zambia held elections.
  • 14 August 2026: date state security forces raided a property in Lusaka and fatally shot Mutotwe Kafwaya.
  • 16 others: number charged with treason alongside Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu.
  • 20 years to life imprisonment: sentence faced by suspects charged with treason if convicted.
  • At least 84 people: number detained without formal charges according to the Zambian Human Rights Commission.
  • Seven opposition figures and government critics: number whose passports have been revoked.
  • Five broadcasting stations: number facing compliance hearings at the Independent Broadcasting Authority.

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