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‘I’m Here to Listen More than to Say Anything’ — UN Special Rapporteur

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United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan says she is in the country to listen and engage with the government and other stakeholders to identify ways of upholding human rights standards, particularly regarding the freedom of opinion and expression.

Ms. Khan has arrived in the country and paid a courtesy call to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe at his office in Lusaka this morning.

Speaking after being received by the minister, Ms. Khan said her mission in the country is to provide guidance on how Zambia can improve human rights standards concerning the freedom of opinion and expression, as well as to listen to some of the challenges encountered.

“I’m here to find ways in which I can give you advice, and I can also discuss with you recent legislative developments and other issues related to strengthening your government’s commitment to human rights, especially the freedom of opinion and expression,” Ms. Khan said.

The Bangladeshi added that she would take more time listening to both the government and stakeholders before providing a report on the current state of and ways to improve the freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

“In the early days, and particularly today, I’m here to listen more than to say anything, and I will, of course, present my findings to your government on the last day of my visit, which is the 31st of January, and after that, I will speak to the media,” she said.

She continued: “Right now, I’m much more in the mode of listening to you and other stakeholders to hear from you what you see as areas of progress, areas for improvement, and the challenges you face.”

Furthermore, Ms. Khan commended the Zambian government for welcoming the UN Special Rapporteur to assess and provide guidance on how to uphold human rights standards in the country.

“I very much welcome the initiative that your government has taken to invite me to come here, and I hope that you will see this as a constructive contribution to your own approach to upholding human rights standards,” she said.

Meanwhile, Haimbe has, on behalf of the government, welcomed the UN Special Rapporteur and her delegation on their mission in the country.

“We are very excited to have you and your delegation here in Zambia. This activity that you are undertaking is very important, and as you indicated, we work closely with the UN systems, and whenever we have an opportunity to cooperate and coordinate with any of the functions under the UN systems, we embrace that opportunity,” Haimbe said.

Ms. Khan is expected to engage with several actors, including officials from the government and the National Assembly, as well as human rights defenders among other stakeholders, before concluding her visit on the 31st of January, 2025.

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