• Urgent Action

Urgent Action Update: Activist Released on Bail, Set to Stand Trial (Zambia: UA 94.18)

June 7, 2018

Fumba Chama, affectionately known as Pilato, was released on a 3000 USD bail on 21 May. His trial will begin on 25 June. Pilato was arrested on 16 May on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda Airport in Lusaka. He had been forced to flee the country on 5 January after receiving threats on his life from members of the ruling Party, Patriotic Front.

Fumba Chama, affectionately known as Pilato, was released on a 3000 USD bail on 21 May. His trial will begin on 25 June. Pilato was arrested on 16 May on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda Airport in Lusaka. He had been forced to flee the country on 5 January after receiving threats on his life from members of the ruling Party, Patriotic Front. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:
  • Calling on the authorities to guarantee Pilato’s safety, personal security and wellbeing and ensure that he is protected from threats by ruling party members;
  • Urging them to drop all charges against Pilato and the five other activists and ensure that human rights activists are not unlawfully detained, arrested or threatened in the legitimate exercise of their work;
  • Urging them to end misuse of the criminal justice system to persecute human rights activists and perceived opponents of the ruling party, Patriotic Front.

Contact these two officials by 19 July, 2018:

Director of Public Prosecutions Ms. F.L Shawa-Siyunyi S.C Ministry of Justice Plot BLX 29B Independence Avenue Lusaka, Zambia Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Director

Ambassador Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula, Embassy of the Republic of Zambia 2200 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: (202) 234-4111 Fax: (202) 332-0826 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 94.18 Here’s why it is so important to report your actions: we record the actions taken on each case—letters, emails, calls and tweets—and use that information in our advocacy. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Downloads