The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has disclosed that a total number of 1,069 cases of human rights violations were identified in some correctional facilities in all the ten provinces.
Speaking in Lusaka during the sharing of the findings of investigations in detention and correctional facilities, HRC Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga said the nature of the 1,069 identified cases of human rights violations were relating to the delayed Trials, Delayed Confirmation of Orders for Juveniles,Right to apply for bail 108 and, delayed Committal Certificates.
Mr. Mwandenga adds that other violations were delayed appeals, delayed conveyance of juveniles, delayed sentencing, delayed judgements, delayed cause listing, and maladministration of justice among others.
He says these cases of violations were of grave concern to the Commission and they immediately engaged the respective duty bearers in the criminal justice system to redress the situation.
He adds that following the Commission’s intervention, a total of 532 cases were successfully resolved, representing about 50% success rate of redressing the identified human rights violations.
He states that the provincial distribution of cases were as follows: 249 (Lusaka), 158 (Copperbelt),147 (Central), 100 (Luapula), 82 (Western), 77 (Eastern), 67 (North-Western), 66 (Northern) 63 (Muchinga) and 60 (Southern).