In a joint statement to mark the 10th World Refugee Day, taking place on 20 June, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague and International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell said:
“Millions of refugees remain among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, a stark reminder of the real and harrowing effects that conflict and repression have on people’s lives. With recent refugee movements in Libya, Cote d’Ivoire, Syria and Sudan, the need to offer protection to those caught up in violence or persecution, as set out in the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, remains as relevant as ever.
“The UK has a proud tradition of offering refuge to those forced to flee their home country as well as tackling the conflict and abuses of human rights that cause refugee flows. We also strongly support international efforts to assist refugees, to find long term, durable ways in which they can return to safety. We pay tribute to the dedicated efforts of those UN agencies and international organisations, NGOs and local volunteer organisations who provide protection to, and assistance for refugees. We also commend those countries across the world that have, often for protracted periods, been generous hosts of refugee populations.”
The UK is among the largest contributors to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and actively contributes to the work of humanitarian organisations helping to meet the needs and protect the rights of refugees, stateless people and those internally displaced within their own country.
The UK will continue to work in partnership with the UNHCR on the UKBA’s Gateway Protection Programme, bringing up to 750 of the world’s most vulnerable refugees to the UK each year.
2011 is the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The UK looks forwards to participating in the 60th anniversary commemorations planned by UNHCR for December 2011. We hope this will be an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm the Convention and its protocol as the foundation of the international refugee protection regime.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg made a speech on 10 May 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the formation of the Refugee Council in the UK.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
NKOLE’S ALLEGATION ON THE JUDICIARY BASELESS
LUSAKA, Tuesday June 21, 2011 – The allegation by Mr. Maxwel Nkole, former disanded Task force on Corruption Chairman, which appeared in today’s The Post Newspaper (June 21, 2011) that President Rupiah Banda interferes with the delivery of justice in the country is not only demeaning to the President but insulting to the Judiciary. President Banda strongly belives in the doctrine of Separation of powers which underpins the independence of the Judiciary from the other two arms of government – the executive and the legislature.
Mr. Nkole should avail himself with the necessary evidence before releasing false and libelious statements to the media. At no time did President Banda promise to terminate Dr. Katele Kalumba’s corruption cases in return for political support in Chiengi. Likening the case of Dr. Kalumba to that of the late second Republican President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba, is doing an injustice to the memory of the late President. The nation is currently mourning Dr. Chiluba and dragging his name through the mud, as Mr. Nkole and others are trying to do, is an affront to our culture and traditions in Zambia. Let us mourn Dr. Chiluba in peace and dignitiy.
For the record, Dr. Chiluba faced the courts of law and was acquitted on corruption charges by the High Court – not President Banda. The President does not appeal acquittal cases to a higher court. The Constitution of the Republic of Zambia is very clear on the appeal process. It empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal to a higher court based on his legal opinion.
The courts have convicted and sentenced a number of the President’s political colleagues. The conviction of Dr. Solomon Musonda, former Health Deputy Minisiter, is one such example which demonstrates the independence of the courts. Some former service and security chiefs have also been convicted by the courts. At no time did the President attempt to reverse these convictions. The accused have defended themselves in court and have, in some cases, been aquitted.
Mr. Nkole is a bitter and frustrated man who tends to blame his failure to run the disbanded task force on corruption on others. As a former police officer, he must understand that Zambia is one of the few African countries which has upheld the independence of the judiciary. Let Mr. Nkole learn to respect our courts of law.
But it is up to the judiciary to defend itself from such accusations.
this is contained in a statement by the State House Public Relations unit.
Mr. Nkole should avail himself with the necessary evidence before releasing false and libelious statements to the media. At no time did President Banda promise to terminate Dr. Katele Kalumba’s corruption cases in return for political support in Chiengi. Likening the case of Dr. Kalumba to that of the late second Republican President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba, is doing an injustice to the memory of the late President. The nation is currently mourning Dr. Chiluba and dragging his name through the mud, as Mr. Nkole and others are trying to do, is an affront to our culture and traditions in Zambia. Let us mourn Dr. Chiluba in peace and dignitiy.
For the record, Dr. Chiluba faced the courts of law and was acquitted on corruption charges by the High Court – not President Banda. The President does not appeal acquittal cases to a higher court. The Constitution of the Republic of Zambia is very clear on the appeal process. It empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal to a higher court based on his legal opinion.
The courts have convicted and sentenced a number of the President’s political colleagues. The conviction of Dr. Solomon Musonda, former Health Deputy Minisiter, is one such example which demonstrates the independence of the courts. Some former service and security chiefs have also been convicted by the courts. At no time did the President attempt to reverse these convictions. The accused have defended themselves in court and have, in some cases, been aquitted.
Mr. Nkole is a bitter and frustrated man who tends to blame his failure to run the disbanded task force on corruption on others. As a former police officer, he must understand that Zambia is one of the few African countries which has upheld the independence of the judiciary. Let Mr. Nkole learn to respect our courts of law.
But it is up to the judiciary to defend itself from such accusations.
this is contained in a statement by the State House Public Relations unit.
RB openly weeps over the death of political consultant
President Rupiah Banda has signed the book of condolences for late second republican President Fredrick Chiluba who died on Saturday at his Kabulonga home in Lusaka.
President Banda who has declared seven days of national mourning for the former head of State signed the book at 16:50 hours when he visited Belvedere Lodge, the venue of the funeral this afternoon (Tuesday).
“What a great loss to Zambia and Africa, as a whole. May the all mighty receive his son and look after his family,” President Banda wrote in a brief message in the book of condolences.
Mr. Banda who was received by some of his senior government officials was accompanied by the first Lady.
President Banda and his wife immediately after arriving at the funeral venue went on to console Dr Chiluba’s widow and children.
The Zambian president openly wept for the late head of state at the funeral venue.
President Banda had forged a close relationship with the former president who had been acquitted in the courts of law for offences of plunder of national resources involving millions of dollars.
He touted himself as President Banda’s political consultant.
Ironically, Dr Chiluba had in 1995 detained Mr. Banda when he was still a senior UNIP official and other party members in a case that came to be known as the “zero option” in which UNIP members allegedly plotted to oust the then new MMD government.
Dr Chiluba’s death is likely to be as political as was his life.
Sata welcome to Chiluba's funeral
Violence tainted MMD Lusaka Province Chairperson; William Banda has refuted reports that he has instructed party cadres to harass or bar some individuals from entering belvedere lodge, where the funeral of Dr. Chiluba is being held.
Among the people Mr. Banda is alleged to have barred include Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata.
Mr. Banda says doors are wide open at belvedere lodge, the official mourning site for Mr. Sata to attend the funeral gathering of late former head of state if he so wishes.
All Opposition political party leaders have so far visited the funeral venue except the outspoken PF Leader.
Mr. Banda warned Mr. Sata against gaining political mileage out of Dr. Chiluba’s death.
He disclosed that all those accusing him of violence are Patriotic Front sympathizers who demonized Dr. Chiluba until his last breathe on earth.
Mr. Banda said Mr. Sata should instead avail himself at the funeral venue than continue releasing false and malicious statements to the media.
Yesterday, a radio phoenix reporter and Rev. Edith Mutale are alleged to have been barred from entering the premises of the lodge.
Among the people Mr. Banda is alleged to have barred include Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata.
Mr. Banda says doors are wide open at belvedere lodge, the official mourning site for Mr. Sata to attend the funeral gathering of late former head of state if he so wishes.
All Opposition political party leaders have so far visited the funeral venue except the outspoken PF Leader.
Mr. Banda warned Mr. Sata against gaining political mileage out of Dr. Chiluba’s death.
He disclosed that all those accusing him of violence are Patriotic Front sympathizers who demonized Dr. Chiluba until his last breathe on earth.
Mr. Banda said Mr. Sata should instead avail himself at the funeral venue than continue releasing false and malicious statements to the media.
Yesterday, a radio phoenix reporter and Rev. Edith Mutale are alleged to have been barred from entering the premises of the lodge.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Zambia declares 7 days of national Mourning for its ex-president
The Zambian Government has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of its late ex-president, Dr Frederick Chiluba who died in the early hours of Saturday.
Secretary to Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja announced a weeklong period of national mourning.
Dr. Kanganja further announced that Dr. Chiluba will be buried in Lusaka and that he will be mourned for seven days starting, today, Monday 20 June, 2011.
He says during the period of national mourning all flags will fly at half mast.
Dr. Kanganja also says that all radio and television stations must play solemn music between 06 and 18 hours.
He has since directed that all activities of entertainment nature should be suspended or cancelled.
First Republican President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda called Chiluba's death "a great loss for the labour movement saying he was a true trade unionist.
Meanwhile, the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption against Corruption-APNAC-Zambia Chapter, Publicity Secretary, Godfrey Beene described ex-leader, as pioneer and champion of democracy.
Dr. Chiluba, 68, credited with turning the page on the autocratic rule of founding father Kenneth Kaunda but later accused of plundering state coffers, died last Saturday.
He however, maintained the charges against him stemmed from a political witch hunt.
A popular figure in Zambia, the ex-controversial leader remained a close ally of the current president, Rupiah Banda.
Dr. Chiluba, who came to office in 1991 after 27 years of single party socialist rule, died at his home shortly after midnight after suffering a seizure.
Several politicians who served in his cabinet have hailed him for his role in strengthening multi-party democracy in the southern African country.
US Ambassador Mark Storella said Dr. Chiluba played an integral role in the development of Zambian democracy as the first democratically elected President of the country.
The American envoy said Dr. Chiluba will be remembered as a tireless champion of Zambia’s workers and as a pioneer in the liberalization of Zambia’s economy.
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