Everyone has the right to social security

The HRC Pictures

Mazabuka shooting    Ailing prisoner at Mumbwa State Prison
This young man of Mazabuka district suffered a gunshot wound at the hands of police officers during a protest in Match 2011. Here, a medical doctor at Chikankata Mission Hospital removing a bullet from the wound. Police fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at the mob that was reportedly looting and damaging property during the riots. The riots were staged by angrily residents following the death of two youths during a stampede at a social club where police mishandled a crowd that was watching a football match between Manchester United and Chelsea after the stipulated operating time of the premises.   Ailing prisoner at Mumbwa State Prison, Mumbwa district, who was unable to take his medicine because the clinical officer was too busy to administer treatment. This came to light when the Human Rights Commission undertook an unannounced visit to Mumbwa Prison in October 2011. The prison authorities were advised to take seriously health issues of prisoners and ordered them to give the prisoner instant access to treatment.

Kabwe Lead poisoning    Frank Musukwa
These kids are among many other children who had been affected by lead poisoning in Kabwe. Many of them were undergoing rehabilitation at Kasanda Environmental Public Information Centre in Kabwe, which is part of the Copperbelt Environmental Project. Here, they were found playing chess when the Human Rights Commission visited the place during a research on human rights and the environment.   Frank Musukwa is deaf and heads Kitwe-based Zambia Deaf Youth and Women organisation. Here, he demonstrates how he is able to drive despite his hearing impairment. He told the Human Rights Commission he had applied to the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) for a driver’s licence, but was denied on account of his physical condition. His organisation has petitioned Ministry of Transport, Communication, Works and Supply to amend Section 62 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 saying its discriminates against persons with disabilities in the issuance of driver’s licenses and is inconsistent with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which Zambia is party. The Commission is currently undertaking research on disability rights looking at perceptions on granting of driver’s licenses to persons with hearing impairment.