Govt’s behaviour over Biti disgraceful – Ndulo
Professor Muna Ndulo says the Zambian government displayed disgraceful, behaviour b deporting Zimbabwean opposition politician Tendai Biti who was seeking political asylum.
Zimbabwean opposition politician Tendai Biti has appeared in court in handcuffs on charges of inciting violence after he was deported from Zambia.
On Wednesday, the Zambian government rejected Biti’s request for asylum.
Following the disputed July 30 elections in Zimbabwe, the government has launched a serious clampdown on opposition supporters and officials, including Biti.
And when Biti tried to seek asylum in Zambia, the government sent him back, in defiance of a High Court order obtained in Lusaka by his lawyers Gilbert Phiri and Keith Mweemba, restraining the government from deporting him until a judicial review was carried out.
Biti has since been released on bail following President Mnangagwa’s intervention.
Prosecutors accuse Mr Biti of fuelling illegal protests by rejecting Mnangagwa’s victory in the fiercely contested elections.
And the US-based Zambian law Professor, Ndulo, described the act as lawlessness.
“The behavior of the Zambian Government over Biti is disgraceful. The Government acted in total disregard of a court order. Those who carried out the Government action are in contempt of court,” said Prof Ndulo this morning.
“The Zambian Government action is also a clear violation of international law. Both the International and African Convention on Refugees prohibits the sending back of asylum seekers to countries they are running away from. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explanations show a complete lack of understanding of the rule of law and the applicable international law. It lays bare the mediocrity of those we have entrusted to run our foreign affairs.”
