Judgment Expected in Lusaka High Court on Freedom of Expression
Lusaka—On Friday 15 May, the High Court in Lusaka is expected to deliver judgment in an important case relating to the right to freedom of expression. The judgment will determine whether Paul Kasonkomona’s acquittal on the charge of soliciting for immoral purposes will stand or whether it will be referred back to the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for the defence to argue its case.
On 7 April 2013, Paul Kasonkomona, a human rights activist, was arrested outside MuviTV station after he appeared on a television programme where he expressed his opinion that the rights of sexual minorities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT) and sex workers, should be recognised in order to effectively address the HIV epidemic. On 25 February 2014, Magistrate Lameck Ng’ambi held that the State failed to present a sufficient case for the defence to answer resulting in the acquittal of Kasonkomona. The State appealed this ruling to the High Court.
Kasonkomona is represented by Sunday Nkonde SC from SBN Legal Practitioners with assistance from SALC.
What: The High Court to deliver judgment in the case of People v Kasonkomona
Where: High Court, Lusaka, Zambia
When: Friday, 15 May 2015, 09:00
For more information:
Anneke Meerkotter, Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC); Tel: +27(0)10 596 8538; Cell: +27 72 234 4763;
Email: Annekem@salc.org.za
For Twitter updates: @Follow_SALC #Kasonkomona
For background on the case click here.
