Barotses Imprisoned for Tearing Zambian Draft Constitution Denied Visits From Relatives And Friends The Barotse Freedom Movement members who were convicted to twelve months imprisonment, but serving six months in prison and six months suspended for two years, for destroying copies of the draft constitution of the Republic of Zambia are traumatized by denying them medical facilities and visitations from friends and relatives. Reports received by the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) state that Prison authorities are denying the Barotse prisoners access to medical treatment, food stuffs and visitations from their relatives, friends and sympathizers. At Mongu prison where four Barotse activists are goaled, who include the BFM National Secretary Mulasikwanda Chazele, it is reported that last week visitors who went to the prison were not allowed by prison authorities. BFM National Chairman Nyambe Namushi confirmed that he was informed by relatives of the prisoners of the development. The problem arose after one of the prisoners, Limpo Likwenga, had collapsed in prison due to hypertension. Chazele is reported to have demanded that Likwenga be evacuated to Lewanika General Hospital where he was referred by the prison clinic but the prison authorities refused. Hence disciplinary action was taken against Chazele for arguing with one of the named Prison Chief Inspectors. Chazele was placed in solitary confinement and incommunicado for one full day. Likwenga is a known patient of High Blood Pressure. During the trial of the Barotse Activists at Kaoma Magistrate’s court Likwenga had collapsed in court and had to be taken to Kaoma district hospital. At Senanga State Prison, where there are three Barotse prisoners, Namushi said that he had received similar reports from relatives who went to visit the prisoners; that they were denied to see them. Even the provisions which they had taken for them were not allowed. The situation at Kaoma State Prison was slightly different in that there were no reports of denial of visits by relatives. The boys were, however, reported to have contracted chest infections of unknown origin and have been attended to by hospital authorities. Otherwise except that prison conditions are naturally not fit for human habitation, the prison authorities at Kaoma treat the boys humanely. Namushi said that he had instructed Mongu based BFM and BNFA executive members to report the problems at Mongu and Senanga prisons to the Human Rights Commission office in Mongu. He noted that it is against human rights to deny a prisoner medical treatment and visits from relatives and friends. Prisoners have the right to receive food supplements from relatives because prison diet is inadequate and often not properly cooked. He was concerned at the health of Limpo Likwenga because he is a BP patient who needs regular check up and special diet, therefore denying them food supplied by relatives is unacceptable. He demanded that the Human Rights Commission should visit the Barotse political prisoners to ascertain the truth and conditions under which they are being subjected to. In particular Likwenga must be referred to hospital and allowed to have regular BP checkups as recommended by medical doctors. - See more at: barotsepost/index.php/en/frontnews/local-news/426-barotses-imprisoned-for-tearing-zambian-draft-constitution-denied-visits-from-relatives-and-friends#sthash.PjCWpHrp.dpuf
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:31:13 +0000
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