Embassy of the Republic of Zambia

Chargé d’Affaires

Joseph R. Chilaizya

2200 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008

Dear Counsellor,

I am writing on an urgent matter that requires your immediate attention. I have fear for the safety of one of your citizens, Hakainde Hichilema, who was recently transferred from Lusaka Central Correctional Facility in Lusaka Province to Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Central Province. I have learned that Mr. Hichilema is being held under degrading and inhumane conditions at the Maximum Security Prison and the conditions to which he is subjected may amount to torture and other ill-treatment.

Hakainde Hichilema is facing an unwarranted charge of treason together with five others for allegedly obstructing a Presidential Motorcade.

I am writing to urge you to take the following immediate steps to reverse this cruel and unjust situation:

· Please call upon the Zambian authorities to drop the treason charge against Hakainde Hichilema and his five co-accused and release them immediately and unconditionally;

· I urge you to ensure that Hakainde Hichilema’s conditions of detention together with those of his five co-accused conform to international standards and that he receive any necessary medical treatment that he may need;

· I urge you to ensure that all the accused persons are granted access to lawyers of their choosing and to their families;

· Lastly, I urge you to thoroughly, impartially and independently investigate allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of Hakainde Hichilema while in detention.

Taking the above action will remind the world that Zambia is a nation which prides itself on its respect of the universal human rights of all its citizens. Thank you in advance for your prompt and humane response as outlined above.

Sincerely,

The President of Republic of Zambia

His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu

Office of the President

Plot 1 Independence Avenue, 10101

P.O. Box 50212

Lusaka, Zambia

Your Excellency,

I am writing on an urgent matter that requires your immediate attention. I have fear for the safety of one of your citizens, Hakainde Hichilema, who was recently transferred from Lusaka Central Correctional Facility in Lusaka Province to Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Central Province. I have learned that Mr. Hichilema is being held under degrading and inhumane conditions at the Maximum Security Prison and the conditions to which he is subjected may amount to torture and other ill-treatment.

Hakainde Hichilema is facing an unwarranted charge of treason together with five others for allegedly obstructing a Presidential Motorcade.

I am writing to urge you to take the following immediate steps to reverse this cruel and unjust situation:

• I call upon you to drop the unwarranted treason charge against Hakainde Hichilema and his five co-accused and release these innocent individuals immediately and unconditionally;

• I urge you to ensure that Hakainde Hichilema’s conditions of detention together with those of his five co-accused conform to international standards and that he receive any necessary medical treatment that he may need;

• I urge you to ensure that all the accused persons are granted access to lawyers of their choosing and to their families;

• Lastly, I call upon you to thoroughly, impartially and independently investigate allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of Hakainde Hichilema while in detention.

Sincerely,