Zambia cancels passports of critics
Amnesty International states Zambian authorities violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by arbitrarily cancelling the passports
Zambian authorities cancelled the passports of six government critics on September 11, a move Amnesty International says violates international human rights law. The rights group states the action breaches the right to freedom of movement.
Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said the cancellations target dissidents and political opponents. She called it a weaponization of administrative powers to silence critics.
The Individuals Affected
The passport cancellations affected a range of prominent figures. They include former Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia and former Permanent Representative to the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba. Historian and academic Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa was also targeted.
Former opposition Members of Parliament Binwell Mpundu and Emmanuel Jay Banda had their passports cancelled. The list also includes former State House Special Assistant Kaizer Zulu and blogger Lillian Mutambo. The government issued a notice stating the cancellations were made "in the interest of national security."
Violation of International Law
Amnesty International asserts the arbitrary cancellation of passports is a clear violation of international human rights law. The organization specifically points to Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which enshrines the right to freedom of movement.
Chikwanda stated, "By weaponizing citizenship documents to target dissidents, activists, or political opponents, authorities explicitly breach the right to freedom of movement." She argues the decision strips individuals of their legal identity and traps them in a state of de facto statelessness, undermining their dignity and basic civil protections.
Legal Grounds and Wider Crackdown
Under Zambia's own Passports and Citizenship legislation, passport cancellation is permitted only on specific grounds. These include loss of citizenship, obtaining a passport through fraud, certain passport fraud convictions, specified other convictions, and death.
Political criticism or opposition to the government is not a stated legal ground for cancellation. Amnesty International has documented a rapid deterioration of human rights in Zambia surrounding recent general elections.
This context includes arbitrary arrests and detention. Attacks and intimidation have targeted human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and opposition party members. The killing of former Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation marked a further escalation.
Chikwanda linked the passport actions to this wider post-election crackdown on dissent. She described the situation as deeply concerning.
Call for Action
Amnesty International calls on Zambian authorities to immediately revoke the passport cancellations. The organization demands the restoration of the passports to all affected individuals.
It also calls for authorities to remedy any harm resulting from what it terms an unlawful decision. The call shows the need for the government to adhere to its obligations under domestic and international law.
