AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS XAVIER CHUNGU’S RELEASE, LAUNCHES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
Amnesty International has launched a worldwide campaign calling for the immediate and unconditional release of detained opposition leader and former presidential candidate Xavier Chungu, urging supporters across the globe to write to Zambian authorities demanding that the charges against him be dropped.
The campaign forms part of Amnesty’s global Urgent Action network, which mobilizes international pressure in cases where the organization believes human rights are at risk.
In its statement, Amnesty International says Mr. Chungu was arrested on 28 May 2026 following his participation in a podcast and was subsequently charged under the State Security Act, with sedition, and under the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act.
The organization notes that although he was granted bail by the High Court, he was re-arrested the same day on additional charges. It further argues that the decision to deny him bail after the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a “No Bail Certificate” undermines meaningful judicial oversight and raises concerns about whether his continued detention is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
As part of the campaign, Amnesty International has published a model letter addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert Phiri, urging the Zambian Government to release Mr. Chungu immediately and unconditionally.
The organization argues that the charges stem solely from the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and contends that Zambia, as a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has an obligation to protect freedom of expression and ensure that any restrictions on that right meet international human rights standards.
In additional background accompanying the campaign, Amnesty International states that it has found no publicly available evidence demonstrating that Mr. Chungu disclosed classified information or that his statements posed a genuine threat to national security.
The organization says the podcast was reportedly withdrawn before its public release and maintains that political speech enjoys heightened protection under international human rights law. Amnesty has called on supporters worldwide to continue sending appeals to the Zambian authorities until 24 January 2027, keeping international attention on the case.